Me & YOU Monday. On Tuesday.

Yep that's right I'm a day late with my post for Karlee's awesome link up to help us all focus on finding ways that make our life as a whole just a little better.  Thankfully for Me (& YOU) is that the link is open all week so there is still plenty of time to join in.

Regular readers will know that I generally use this space to talk about Making things Matter.  Last week I started to explain what it was all about.  To be truthful I wasn't completely happy with the way it all came out.  I even questioned whether I should have posted.  Even though I was on holiday, there were still some things that just couldn't stop mattering and blogging was one of them.  You see blogging makes me feel good and since holidays are all about doing that which feels good...

I still struggle at times deciding exactly what it is I need to make matter.  Because let's face it the list of things that matter in life is endless.  And ever changing.  But then rarely are good things stagnant.

One of the reasons I am late (according only to me) in getting this post out is because I was busy making things other than blogging matter.  Things like unpacking, feeding the masses and beginning the mammoth task of conquering the Mt Washmore that is created with the frivolities of holidays.

There were also fun things like looking through some 700 photos of our week away.  Yep you read right 700.  Just under 100 a day.  Not too bad when you consider it is shared between two iphones and a DSLR (gee I just felt like a name dropper)  Fingers crossed I will have some ready to share on Wednesday.

Hubs recently made a comment about my filing, or rather lack there of, in Mac's iPhoto app.  Since he may have had a valid point, I have spent much of the evening trying to create sense among the thousands of photos which I have stored in a bid to preserve ever lasting memories.  If I had taken the time to make a to do list I am sure somewhere this would have been on it.

There is still one week of the school holidays left.  Hubs returns to work next week.  With the public holiday on Thursday, school shopping, a birthday celebration for a friend, catching up with friends and whatever else pops up along the way I am sure the week is going to fly by.  Much to my disappointment.  I am not ready for this time to end yet.

I am still in a little holiday bubble and I don't want it to burst yet.  I think I under estimated just how run down I was.  I am not sure I am fully rejuvenated yet.  I am not sure I want to go back to all day with out hubs around.  I love it when we are around each other all the time.  Having an extra pair of hands and sometimes even just ears with the girls can be a wonderful blessing at times.  Plus it is so nice for the girls to have their dad around as well.

I digress though.

Well not really.  Because that is what is going to Matter this week.

The time we spend together as a family.  

I want us to continue to enjoy the wonderful time we had on holiday.  Where worries slipped on by and we just enjoyed what we had.  At least for a little bit longer.  Since the house is in such a wonderful order at the moment thanks to all our hard work before we left, it only seems right that we spend some more time having fun.

There are a heap of things I want to get done blogging wise but I am not going to put too much pressure on myself for that at the moment.  Blogging occurs best when the house is in harmony.  Well at least that is how blogging works best for me.  Of course harmony occurs most when sleep is had which means I should possibly consider whether I should be here right now or not.  The ever constant juggling act of life I guess.

There is one thing though that I must make matter this week and that is the state of the car.  It should have been done before we went away but we simply ran out of time.  I promised hubs that I would try and stay on top of this in the future.  As the second biggest asset we have, it should be well looked after.

So that is what will matter for me this week.  Family time and clean car.  What about you?  Got something you want to change niggling away at you?  Being a mum can be isolating and hard.  Let's help each other change.  Together we can.  Head here for more

Oh and since it is now Tuesday, and I am blogging, I am linking up with the lovely Jess over at Diary of a SAHM for

Could this day get any better?

Before ten o'clock this morning I think I had asked myself this at least a dozen times. By lunch time that number had possibly tripled and I shudder to think what it will be like by bed time.

Today is the last day of our holiday. Our week of bliss is coming to an end as we are slowly preparing to return home to the normality of life. Hubs and I stayed up a little late last night in a bid to be packed and ready to face the morning as stress free as possible. We may also have has one drink to many resulting in a slightly fuzzy head this morning. Though there is a chance that the fuzziness is a result of children disturbing me in my very short night's sleep.

The day got off to a cracking start when the eldest woke us all with screams of her arm being stuck between the wall and the bed. She is prime to being dramatic at times. Actually this wasn't technically the start to the day. That was not long after day break when almost fell our of bed due to the middle child deciding she needed to spread out in my bed. Desperate for just a little long in the land of Z's I went to her bed which meant I was up close and personal for the earlier mentioned arm incident.

From here I discovered the arrival of the red dragon. Nice. On the upside no babies this month.

As per the norm for paid accommodation check out time was 10am. The only real problem with that is our plane does not leave until nearly 8pm. Amusing three worn out children while lugging around some eight bags of clothing is not really my idea of fun. Thankfully my sister took care of the bags but her one bedroom apartment is no place to entertain the fore mentioned children. Especially given the fact that a two week old baby also resides there.

For Christmas we were given a voucher to a local restaurant, which we had not yet found time to use. We thought that going to breakfast would take care of most of the morning once we checked out. Which it did, only it was not really the relaxing Sunday brunch I had been expecting. Turns out the place was a little more upmarket than what we are used to. It was also extremely busy. Naturally we hadn't booked.

The waiter kindly offered us a seat while we waited for a table to become available. After a few minutes he came and offered us a coffee and I started to settle myself in for a bit of a wait. The girls are not fussy so much as particular and if they are going out for breakfast the only thing they want is pancakes. You can imagine the disappointment when pancakes are nowhere to be seen on the fancy schmancy menu. Thankfully the waitress alleviated our fears when she mentioned a special kids menu. Of course things quickly went downhill again when the littlest one knocked her strawberry milkshake all over the place.

Now I now that these are all classic first world problems that really aren't worthy of complaint but I am tired and I want to go home. Actually I want to just click my heels three times and be home. The holiday has been great and we are incredibly lucky to be able to have such a holiday but today feels like limbo. We have no car and public transport is tricky on a Sunday and we are all exhausted from too much fun. Tough life I know.

Thankful Thursday - holidays

I had planned to have this week off from blogging but today was such a wonderful day I just had to stop and share my thanks. We are currently on holidays in Sydney. Actually just outside Sydney but close enough to head to the big smoke for a day here and there.

Today was one of those days that we decided to spend checking out what life is like in the hustle and bustle of city life. Given the differences between home and a big city I am super thankful to have been able to show the girls another side of life.

As we were walking around the aquarium down at Darling Harbour I realised just how thankful I really was to be able to take the girls on holidays. The looks on their faces, especially the little ones was just amazing. I could feel the memories they were creating and for that I am thankful.

As a child my parents couldn't afford to take us on holidays very often. Actually at all. We did a few camping trips every few years bit never on a plane. It wasn't until I was seventeen and won a competition that include air plane tickets that I even got go interstate with my parents. Even then it was only dad and I rather than he whole family. I should point out that when I was six my parents sent me to England for six weeks, which was awesome but still not a family holiday. So being able to take my children on a holiday that involves a plane ride is something that I am eternally thankful for.

I also thankful that we have been able to have the money to buy take out more than normal, stay in such comfortable accommodation and experience things that are different to home. I feel truly blessed at the moment. Being able to share these experiences with family members I have not seen for far too long has only made the experience better and givene more to be thankful for.
Linking up with Kate over at www.katesaysstuff.com

Me & YOU - What is Making it Matter all about?

You may have noticed that over the last few weeks I have been banging in about Making it Matter.  Essentially this is my mantra for 2012.

You see for way too long I have let things slide.  I have been happy to live a footloose and fancy free type of life.   One where house work and a whole range of other boring and mundane essential parts of life where ignored for as long as possible.

You see all I really did was stop things from mattering.  It did bother me if the dishes weren't done.  To me it didn't matter if clothes stayed on the line for days at a time and then took nearly a week to actually get it to the cupboard. After all, clothes will only be worn again, which then only result in them needing to be washed again. One of life's true bitter circles.

Last week my challenge was to declutter my house and boy did it feel good.  Thanks to hubs having the week off we, and by that I mean him, got a whole heap of crap cleaned up. Hubs did a great job in keeping me focused and on track. He also brought out the ruthlessness in me and managed to convince me to part with my beloved junk.

Unfortunately I did not think of counting just how many bags of crap we expelled until we had nearly finished, but from hubs and mine guesstamics we are thinking a ball park figure of over 20.  Which is pretty impressive. Some of the stuff went straight to the dump shop while others really were only good for compost. There were also quite a few bags that were good enough for the op shop.

In all seriousness those close to me are greatly concerned of the very real possibility of my possible appearance on that TV show about hoarders. Not that I am that bad yet but unless I take hold and start letting things go now I could very well be there in the future.

For now though my house is awesome. It is looking better than it ever has. Some parts of it even look like they could appear in magazine shoot. It is (for the most part) clear of clutter, junk and general rubbish. There are a few little hidden pockets that will be need to be dealt with over the coming weeks but it is all much more manageable than what it once was. Actually I think it is currently much more manageable than ever before.

For this week the things that will matter are having fun. And lots of it. We are currently on holidays and having a blast. The weather hasn't played along as well as it could but it hasn't been bad enough to really complain about.

As always on a Monday I am joining in with The Mother Experiment's Me & YOU link up. A supportive and caring place to work on being a better you. Head over and see what everyone else is up to this week www.themotherexperiment.com

Kicking Back

Well here I am at my seaside retreat and let me tell you life is wonderful. Actually it is more than wonderful. My new nephew is just divine. A perfect little bundle that I could just hold forever. One that makes me even sadder about sister's true love decision to move some four thousand kilometers away from me.

I do sort of understand her attraction to the place though. This was taken from my balcony earlier today
>

Thankful Thursday - New life and a holiday

Yesterday on APL's Facebook page I alluded that 2012 was the year of the super organised and as such I would have some scheduled posts for my forthcoming holiday. As the awesome blogger that I am, I feel I have a certain responsibility to my avid readers and therefore could not fathom the thought of leaving you hanging for nearly two weeks while I go and check out the latest addition to the clan.

Only the so called scheduled posts aren't exactly done yet. Which I am pretty sure doesn't surprise many of you. Of course there is still time as we haven't exactly left yet but that time is quickly being occupied with stupid things like packing and cleaning the house. Apparently leaving the house resembling a bomb site is not the done thing when your little sister in law is coming to house sit.

On top of all the cleaning, reorganising and decluttering that has been going on within these four walls I have also had to ensure that holiday fun has been available for Miss Z. In her mind ripping everything out of every cupboard only to put half it back in is not exactly her idea of fun (who would of thought?)

So with only two days to go before we leave on our plane ride there is still much to be done. Everywhere. I had planned on getting at least a few posts out the way last night, but opted for sitting on the couch with a movie and some basket weaving. The new plan was to get up early and write while the kids were sleeping and biscuits were baking. Only the kids were up before me and the thought of baking was no where near as appealing this morning as it was last night.

As much as I love writing and feel better when I have done so I wasn't going to bother this morning. Even though it is Thursday, and even though Thankful Thursdays are some of my favourite posts I still wasn't going to bother. After all I will be hard pressed to make the time to read all the other participants so missing one week would be ok.

While I was drinking my morning coffee, (which takes place here incase you were wondering)

I was also checking in on Twitter to see what I had missed since last I was there.  That was when I came across Kate's tweet for her TT post.  Which I went and read.  You can too.

After reading it I thought, you know what?  I should make the time to be thankful.  I have so much to be thankful for.  So here I am with just some of what I am thankful for this week.

• The safe arrival of my first nephew.  Who by the time I get to see him on Saturday will be a week old.
• The fact that we are able to go and visit above mentioned nephew.  In the big smoke as well.  
• The ability to take a family holiday that involves getting on a plane.  As a child I remember always feeling left out because our family never went on a plane for it's holidays.  I am so glad to be able to let my children experience the thrill of flying from such an early age.
• Having Hubs home for three whole weeks is beyond awesome.
• The fact that during his holidays Hubs is so proactive in helping me around the house.
• On Monday, which is only like four sleeps away my big girl will be back in my arms!
• Getting 10000 views!

Now I know that it might look like a rather short list.  And perhaps that is because it is a rather short list but since there are a heap of other great Thankful posts over at 

you should head on over and check them out.

Facebook, friendships and the fickleness of it all

The other day, our #iBot hostess with the mostess spent a bit of time getting all philosophical in regards to Facebook friendships and etiquette involved, particularly in the establishment of friendships request. 

For me I don't put in requests for Facebook friendships anymore. There are a few people online that I wouldn't mind peeking into their Facebook life but it gets back to the fear that I live with. The fear that I have slowly worked on but deep down is still there in some levels.  That and the fact there are other ways to stalk get to know people as well.

In the real world I tend to describe myself as not a people person.  Which for some reason seems to take people by surprise.  Sure I have only ever played team sports.  Sure I was a somewhat enthusiastic public speaker and lover of attention.  Sure I am heavily involved with the school council and a variety of other people based activities.  And so what if I loved working in retail and customer service based jobs? None of that really means I like people. 

Because just between you, me and the light post there are large parts of my history were to me people are more than just over rated and the less I had to do with them the better.  I am not talking people in particular here but rather people as a whole.  It was a place in time where I really felt that a life of reclusive was my best option.  But they are stories for another day.  For today all you really need to know is that not so long ago I really felt like I didn't have any friends, in the real world or online.

Of course if you looked at my FB account it would tell a different story.  According to the world of FB I have over 150 friends.  Some are family, others are old high school friends and some are even from my primary school days.  None of whom I really have had that much to do with, especially in recent times.  It is the voyeur in us that keeps the link.  

There are now a few mum's from school and sports on the list as well.  I felt particularly proud of myself in these instances as I went out of my comfort zone and onto a limb to request a FB friendship.  As it turns out only one of the women and I really interact.

There are also a few people in my friends list that I have never met in the flesh.  Never even heard their voice.  Complete and utter strangers.  The only commonality being our addiction to pointless games. When I first began to be sucked into the interwebs I liked to play games that needed lots of friends.  Most of my existing friends either didn't play pointless games or played ones different to my interest.  As such when there was no other way to pass the level and I just had to go on I would just selectively add strangers as I needed.  

Some of these people have turned out to be great confidants that given the opportunity I would meet in an instant.  Some of these people have been the there for me as I struggled through the hard times.  Most of them are now just a name that I am too scared to defriend because I would hate to hurt their feelings.  (As if they may even notice)

Whether I like it or not friendships are important.  We need to have other people in our lives.  Our children need us to have other people in our lives.  The trick is being able to select the right people.

Last year one of my main focuses was the search for new friends.  I set about it with great gusto at the start of the year.  Made easier by the fact I happened to stumble across a group of women who were also looking to extend their friendship base.  Many of these interactions occurred through FB.  A mutual friend was set up that gave lonely local women such as myself a place to meet and interact.  Social gatherings in real life were also organised.

I left the first meet and greet feeling awesome.  I had enjoyed chatting to my new found friends and discovered that there were a few out there who even shared similar beliefs to mine.  I loved watching the children play and also make new friendships.  I raced home to see which of these new lovely ladies would soon be requesting my Facebook friendship.  Let's just say it takes more than one date.

The next few gatherings were not nearly as awesome.  I started to get overwhelmed with all the new people.  I didn't want to have a lifetime of first time mummy dates, I wanted continuity and stability.  I just wanted a small group of people that I could get to know and form a lifelong relationship with.

Slowly the FB friend requests came through and from there a small group of women became more acquainted.  I had forgotten that friendship take time, energy and work.   I had honestly thought that I would just meet someone and go wow this person is a life long friend.  Sounds lovely doesn't it?  Slightly crazy perhaps but lovely nonetheless.  Also not really like to happen.

Only you know what?  

Last week it did happen.  I had a second mummy date with a woman I met online.  Our first date had been wonderful, conversation flowed and little people stared and smiled at each other.  This time it was a chance for our big kids met.  From the moment her daughter showed up wearing the same shirt as mine I knew it was going to be a great day.  Hours passed in what seemed like minutes and by the way the kids played you would have sworn they already new each other.

This woman and I are Tweeters and as such when we returned home shared the beauty of our morning with our avid followers.  I wanted to type felt like we were with life long friends.  But I didn't.  I didn't want to come across as needy or desperate.  I was scared that the words life long friends might have been a commitment she wasn't interested in or felt otherwise about.  I never for a second stopped to think she might have felt the same way as I...

As with much of life confidence is the key. 

Unfortunately for many, myself included it can sometimes be in short supply. The fear of rejection is often so great that I often just refuse to put myself out there. I have been the brunt of jokes, I have been the tag along friend, the one on the outer but still seems to still just hang around, not really fitting in anywhere. I don't like it and I don't want to be her any more. I want to be the one that has secrets shared, ideas respected and fun had. I want to be the one that is turned to in times of need and called on in times of worry and joy.

I know that it won't happen overnight, but I hope it will happen.

What about you? 

Do feel like you have enough friends or would you like to widen your circle a little? 

When you meet people for the first few times do you have the confidence to just assume they will see and love your awesomeness? Or do you worry that they will take one look at you and run? Stopping only to laugh at the ridiculous statement you just made.

As the little button up the top suggest this post links up with Diary of a SAHM for IBOT you should head on over and see who else blogs on a Tuesday and what they have to say.

Me & YOU - Making it Matter, Wk 2

As I wipe the sleep out of my eyes I am torn between writing another awesome blog post or doing the dishes.  Yes I said torn, and yes I meant it.  You see part of my mantra for 2012 is all about making it matter.  Which, if you know me personally, you will know is a pretty big change of direction.  Actually it is so much of a change it is like a complete turn around.

For the past however many years I have done a superbly wonderful job of letting things not matter.  It didn't matter if the washing got done today, eventually it would.  It didn't matter if the dishes waited till, I was ready, which may well be a good twenty four hours after they used.  So many little things just didn't matter.  I was beyond carefree.

Which is nice in a way-to-relaxed kind of way.  Though at times I feel that relaxed is just a very polite way of saying lazy.  With that in mind I am setting out to cure my insatiable desire to do nothing and instead make things matter.

I am so dedicated to the cause I even went and made myself a cute little button, because as well all know I just love buttons.  I am not sure I made it the same way a proper button maker would but for now it will work just fine for me.

For the most part my Making it Matter posts will be what I link up with The Mother Experiment's Me & YOU Monday.  If it weren't for Me & YOU I can't help but wonder if I ever would have made it realising the importance of making it matter.  If there is something in your life you want to change or make matter come and share the journey.  You will be amazed at the effect it will have just by having it out there.

Last week I chose four things to make matter.  Good quality and regular sleep, staying on top of the regular household chores, being present, having fun and not wasting time online.  For the most I did a pretty good job of making these things matter.  I did still waste a little time but not nearly as much as once before and a girls gotta take time out somehow.

Just between you and me I have almost enjoyed doing a load of washing a day.  I have kept it to only the one and it has always been put away as soon as it comes in and it has all been so easy.  Of course as I write this I actually am slipping behind just slightly but as it is still fairly early there is plenty of time for that to be rectified.  On the upside though those dishes I mentioned at the start of the post no longer need doing.

One thing I have noticed as well is that by regularly doing just a little here and there I can actually start to notice a difference which naturally only inspires me to do more.

This week is hub's first week of holidays.  We had planned to do a massive declutter.   It all sounded so lovely a great big clean out to start the year with.   Of course having adventure's every day outside the house would also be great.  I guess this is that precarious balance of life that first world life is full of.

Whether I like to admit it or not there is too much crap laying around here.  Pure and simple.  There is no need for it all to be taking up precious space in my already busting at the seams little town house.  It needs to be gone through and I may as well take advantage of hubs being able to lend a hand.  He is less attached to the rubbish than I so it is always quicker and easier when he helps.  I tried to convince myself that I would do it when the girls go back to school but realised I was probably kidding myself.

So for this week that is what will matter.  Cleaning out the clutter.  As well the Constants.  As the name suggests they are things that constantly need to matter.  There is too many to type out as often as I think they will be mentioned so it is best if they just get all grouped together.  In a nutshell though constants are things like, exercise, washing, dishes, writing, being present, having fun, and the like.  The daily little things that I want to matter each and every day.

Next week we will be visiting my sister interstate, which I am more than a little excited about.  We will be gone for 8 glorious days.  I am hoping to have a heap of scheduled posts all ready to roll but only time will tell if that goes to plan.  Thankfully for Me & YOU readers though I have that post already sorted.  Over the next few weeks I will be concentrating on going into more detail about what Making it Matter is all about.

For now though head on over to The Mother Experiment and see what everyone else is up to this week.  Then make sure you pop back next week to see how it all went.  And hey don't forget you can always join in too.  The more the merrier.

Flashback Friday - Something Different

Right now I feel cooler than cool and not just because I am snuggled up still in bed in air conditioned bliss. Well ok that is some of it. The rest of my coolness is attributed to all the lovely things I have been doing on my iPhone while chilling in the air con. I still can't believe that there was a point in time where I thought little of the electronic fruit that has pretty much shaped technology as we know it.

For while I am in my iPhone DD3 is playing on the iPad and when I finally manage to drag myself away from the comfort that is still being in bed at 9.30 I will go and finish this post on my beloved Mac. Yes, I heart Apple. A lot.

Though this is not meant to be a post dedicated to my love of apple. Instead I wanted to just take some time out and write. I have worked hard all week on being organized and writing regularly, actually daily, which has been a lovely start to the year but the posts have all been linking up ones which I feel at times limits what I write. Well maybe limits is a bit strong bit it does create a bit of extra pressure.

You see when I link up I know that those post will be read. When I just do a random little installment that has the sole purpose of meeting my egoistical needs of feeling like a writer I generally publish it at a rather obscure hour which is likely to not be seen by anyone.  Yep I know when the blogging witching hour is to ensure posts never get read.  My first two years of blogging are testament to that.

However today that is different.  Today I am linking up with the recently discovered

and her

As I discovered last night on Twitter my Thankful Thursday post from yesterday was featured in the Chasing Joy Daily  So you can only imagine my excitement when I find out there is a flashback link up.  I was only whinging yesterday to Diary of a SAHM how I had so many unread posts that in my honest opinion were awesome.  Thanks to Joy, problem solved.
So after much rereading and old post scouring I finally decided what I would share.  It is something from the deepest darkest depths of my vaults.  Should you take the time to click on the link you could very well be the first person to ever read those words (aside from myself of course) because according to stats counter that page has never before been viewed!

Things I Know About Rain

I know that I am glad not to be this lady

but go her for using such eco friendly transport (says the 4WD owner)

I know that if I leave my washing on the line and go out, chances are it will rain.

I know that if I go to the trouble of setting up the undercover washing line and hang my washing there,  it will not rain.

I know that watering the grass will also bring rain, after not watering it for a week without a drop of rain in sight.

I know that after it rains my grass will grow quicker and seed.  Apparently this is because of the nitrate in the rain.

I know that within the next month or so I should expect to see quite a lot of rain.  That is what happens when you live in the tropics in the monsoonal season.

I know that I love the rain.  The smell, the sound, the freshness of it all after it has swept through on a sunny afternoon.

I know that as much as I love the rain I don't think I want there to be as much as last year.  I don't just mean here either.

I know that i just found a whole blog post with 35 brilliant examples of rain.

I know these were my favourites

image credit

image credit

I know that my photos of rain are slightly pale by comparison.

If you look long enough they sorta make a love heart

apparently wing mirror shots are cool, I just don't get how

This was outside my house recently.  Felt very blessed

I know that once again I am pretty excited to be linking up with Kellie over at

Thankful Thursday

How I am thankful for thee. 

Your cheeky little grin, your big wide eyes.  

All of you brings me so much glee.

For a while now I have been thinking of writing a post about each of the girls.  Something that captures this moment in time.  Something that we can all look back on in years to come.

I had thought that it would be the perfect post to link up with for Kate Say's Stuff's Thankful Thursday.  Actually I had thought it would make a great little mini series because it could be spread out over three weeks.  I even imagined that I could just sit down and write them all at once and have them scheduled and waiting to go. Which would be great in the lead up to our trip and then when we are actually away.

Only it is never as easy as it seems.

After spending the better part of the afternoon frolicking in one of the most beautiful pools I have ever seen I am feeling a little drained.  Especially given the ridiculously early waking I chose this morning.  Ridiculous because I am sorta still on holidays.  In my defense though the kidlets have been sleeping in of late so it is a bit nice having some alone time first thing in the morning.  I can't help but wonder if that is a sign of me getting old.

Regardless of all of that though, getting out the awesome post about my thankfulness for my beautiful children is not going to happen tonight.  The pool chlorine combined with the glow of Mac and Hubs desire for a dark room my eyes are what you might call burning.

So where does that leave you dear reader?

Well rather than said post about the love I have for my children you have a somewhat hit and miss collection of my thoughts.  Since however it is Thursday I will try and concentrate on sharing some things I have given thanks for lately.

Firstly the parking fairies were pretty awesome for me over Christmas.  I know that mentioning the C word this long after the day (after all I have heard there are Easter eggs in some shops) is not really done but I seriously scored some ultra great car parks in very busy times.

The wonderful friends with whom we spent New Years (or at least some of it).  They also happen to be the same wonderful friends we went swimming with today.  I can never be thankful enough for these beautiful people.  It warms my heart to know that they are in our lives.  I am eternally glad I was able to draw such a wonderful lady to me.  (Which one day soon I may just have to post about)

In two days time I will be thankful to have hubs around 24/7 as he begins three weeks of leave.  Until about a week ago I thought he only had a little over a week off, so my delight when I discovered he had three. whole. weeks. was pretty indescribable.

I know I have already given thanks in regards to the lack of damage to Patty thanks to my stupidity however this week I want to add thanks for the fact I haven't had to drive for over a week. This has meant I have saved a whole heap of the fuel that was earlier wasted.  Well sort of.  That fuel was still wasted but in terms of actual fuel that I would normally buy I have no longer bought extra.

Lastly I am thankful that yesterday I remembered to activate the voucher my sister gave me.  It had to be done by today.  I will now spend the next 24 hours waiting for the first module of my how to write a book course.

Stay tuned for the kiddie posts.  They will eventually churn themselves out.  In the meantime make sure you check out all the other thankful posts over at 

Wordless Wednesday - #janphotoaday The first few days

Fatmumslim is hosting a photo challenge for the month of January.

 Here is what I have for the first three days

Day 3 Something I adore

Day 2 Breakfast

Day 1 Me

Linking up with

Ten Things Tuesday - Discovering the year that was 2011

I was over at Gemma's Big Nutshell catching up with her latest post.  She has been busy watering her grass and renovating.  Which is lovely for her fibro establishment but not so for bloggy readers who can't wait to hear more of the fun and giggles of a modern Aussie mum just trying to give it the best she can.

Anyway I was more than super excited to update my reader and see her latest installment especially after it turned out to be all about the things she had discovered during the year.  The best part about it all is that it is a themed link up with Lee over at Mummy Issues: Part Two.

Here are ten of the discoveries that I have made this year.

1. This year I discovered a few exciting technological advancements that the rest of the world was already clicked on to.  Things such as Twitter and having a Facebook Page for my blog were very exciting discoveries at the time.  As was Pinterest.  Of course the true benefit, of these discoveries can at times be questionable.  And don't tell anyone but I am still not really sure how Pinterest works or is best used.
2. Instagram was also a wonderful discovery.  In fact Instagram is such a wonderful discovery it gets to be mentioned in a point all of it's own.  Thanks to this little beauty of an app I can happily believe there is hope for me as a photographer.

   

   This is my twinkly magical garden, built lovingly by hubs

3. Last year (being 2010) I began to discover the wonder that is being an Apple owner with the transition to a Mac.  This year I progressed even further with the acquisition of a second hand 3G iPhone.  Added to the odd play on hub's iPad and needless to say I have well and truly discovered a love for all things Apple.  The world at large was saddened greatly to discover the death of Apple co founder Steve Jobs in October.
4. Thankfully I did not have to discover the death of anyone I personally knew.  I can not tell you how nice that was.  Death is such a tricky subject to discuss.  We did discover the death of my my mum's dog and our neighbour's cat.  Oh and the fish.  It felt like we were always discovering dead fish for a while.  In my blog travels I discovered many who had been faced with much worse.  I was in awe many times at how people could get on with living.
5. Having such lovely shiny pieces of technology, such as Mac, did finally encourage me to write on a slightly more regular basis.  I discovered that if I did actually write people would slowly come.  Discovering great blogs who share bloggy love with wonderful linked up memes and such also aided in the writing department.  
6. Looking back over past posts for this and a few other end of year wrap ups I was very pleased to discover that there are instances where I did write something that showed promise for my dreams of being an acclaimed writer.  Though I would also settle for award winning...
7. I guess my biggest discovery for the year (and perhaps it should have gone first but oh well it's late and I just want it done, now where was I...) was blogging.  In many ways it was only in 2011 that I really discovered blogging and all it entails.  Before 2011 I had not even really dabbled in blogging.  Sure I had been writing on the Internet, but they were what I considered at the time as serious articles.  And yes I had a blog as such but it was nothing like it is now so to me, by no stretch of the imagination was I a blogger.  Even now I could only really describe myself as a novice blogger.  Which is fine as you get out what you put in and all that.
8. Regardless though of what type of blogger I am, through my discovery of blogging I have seen a side to human nature that I thought was on the verge of extinction.  The blogosphere is full of caring, compassionate people.  Which is lucky because it is also rife with heartbreak and despair.  The attitude of people is amazing, in many ways, and for the most part it is all understanding and each to their own.  A reflection of life that somehow seems more personal, despite people still being strangers.  This may well have been one of my most favourite discoveries for the year.
9. Looking back at all the new things that the children discovered I am reminded about our responsibilities as parents to educate and create learners out of our children.  There is no point having a smart child if they are not interested in using what is available to them.  Towards the end of the year I discovered I need to awake the learner in DD1.  You know that life long learner that propels us to keep searching for new things, more information.  The inner learner that leads to bigger and better.  The same inner learner I need to ignite and keep alive within myself.
10. For me 2011 was the year of trying.  Trying my best, trying new things, just trying it all and in every sense.  Looking back all I can say is that maybe I still need to keep trying.  I did discover that if I try, even a little, things will happen.  

So as I head of into 2012 I am cautiously confident that if I keep on trying and making it matter, there will be many more wonderful discoveries.  Make sure you stop by Mummy Issues: Part 2 and see what others discovered in 2011

Oh wait, what's this? It is Tuesday and I have Ten Things?  
Linking up with

#IBOT is back in town baby! Are you the winner?

Yay!  It is Tuesday once again.  Actually it is the first ever Tuesday for the year which is a bit exciting because it also means that it is the first I Blog on Tuesday for 2012.

Now truth be told as I type it is actually still five minutes till Tuesday but I want to be super organised and have my post ready to go first thing in the morning.  That way, I can spend any computer time reading all the other lovely IBOT posts.  Which I must say is one of the reasons that I like joining in.

Now that Christmas has been and gone we are all slowly settling into the New Year.  Though really it will be a while before we really are settled as such here.  There are some major, and I mean major, furniture rearrangements about to take place here as well as an extensive decluttering.

Even though it has probably only been a week if feels like forever since I last blogged.  Which is why you are getting a somewhat conversational piece now.  Before I go any further though I must get a few housekeeping items out the way.

Last month I was able to do my first product review.  Which was exciting to say the least.  What was even more exciting was that it also allowed me to offer my first ever giveaway.  Which was super exciting.  When I first heard about the opportunity I thought it would have been a brilliant chance to use Rafflecopter and get peeps tweeting about me all over the place encouraging others to come and enter (yes I was oblivious to the fact my prize may have been what some considered small but hey a prize is a prize).

Only it turns out that I couldn't do a random draw as it went against some licensing commission.  Bugger. Instead I had a game of skill where contestants told me what it was they liked best about summer.  The most creative entry would be the winner, all selected by me.

After riding on the wave of self importance I realised that choosing the winner myself was not really as awesome as I first thought.  There were some pretty good entries.  The winner however is Erynne Campbell.  Fingers crossed Erynne is a dedicated follower and will read this not long after it is published. Just in case she isn't though I have contacted her by other means.

Thanks to all who entered.  It really did make me feel all kinds of special.

You know what else made me feel all kinds of special?
Seeing my gorgeous blog button over At the Bottom of the Garden 

It really is the little things isn't?

Things like discovering I was also Blogger of the Mo.

 Thanks Jess.

Or things like being given

Thanks SportyMummy

(I will get a proper post out about it soon and pass it on)

Well that's it from me today, well at least for now, I might try later for a Ten Things Tuesday post but only time will tell.  If you just can't get enough of me then here is yesterday's Me & YOU post, which is all about making it matter

Me & YOU - Making it Matter

Welcome, welcome welcome.

It is wonderful to be here and I am so pleased that you have decided to join me on my journey through the year that will be 2012.  Having recently finished the year that was 2011 with a few personal highs I am confident that bigger and better things are just around the corner.  Particularly if I knuckle down and try to get things done.

As I mentioned I felt I left 2011 more up than down.  I know many people who have had a horrific year and are more than pleased to see the end of it.  I am not one of those people.  For me 2011 was a year of minor discovery.  Discoveries that helped me to become a better person.  Discoveries that have slowly led to my house and life becoming just a tiny bit more organised and together.

One of my favourite discoveries of last year is The Mother Experiment's Me & YOU.  I am fairly sure that the discoveries I spoke of above are a result of partaking in this linky.  (Here for more info)

While many bloggers, and people at large actually, have all come out in the last day or so and shared their plans, hopes and goals for the coming year sadly, I am not one of them.  Well at least not yet.  But that's ok because what I do have is my motto.  Well that and the fact that I know each day is a new beginning

Last year, was the year of trying.

This year is the year to Make it Matter.

You see the other day while I was idly tidying up it dawned on me.  It is all the little things that matter.  If I look after the little things then the bigger picture will take care of the rest.  Little things like folding the washing as I get it in will make it easier to put it away as soon as I take it inside.

Now previously I thought it didn't matter if the clothes never made it to the cupboard from the washing line.  And that is where I was wrong.  See if you want to wear clothes that are free from wrinkles (as my husband's boss likes his workers clothes) then it is best to get them in the cupboard ASAP as opposed to sitting scrunched up in a basket for days on end.

The old 2011 me, thought that it didn't matter how many chocolates I ate at night.  The new 2012 me knows that every single chocolate does matter.  Everyone of those delicious little treats matters to my ever expanding waste line.  Just like the old me thought it didn't matter how much sleep I did or rather did not get.  The making it matter me knows that it does matter (quite a lot actually) to get enough quality sleep.

Lots of tiny little things that never used to matter are all going to come together and make for the most awesome year ever.

Having said all of that though there is a bit of a but.

January is a bit of a busy month for me.  What with hubs having three weeks off to join in the fun that is school holidays and our impending trip to Sydney.  I am really really hesitant to set out a long list of goals.  Hubs and I have already discussed plans for a major cull of crap as soon as his leave starts.  Which will be lovely.  It is great when he gets in and helps me clear out as he is somewhat ruthless compared to the hoarder in me.

So here is what is going to matter for this week

Sleep - lots of good quality and regular sleep to feel refreshed, recharged and ready to go
Staying on top of the regulars (washing, dishes, etc)
Being present and having fun
Not wasting time online

Simple I know but that is where the best things start.  Make sure you stop by next week to see how I went.  Hopefully by then there will be a few other changes to check out as well.

Wanna make a change in your life? Want a caring, supportive  place to share your journey?

Head on over to TME and join on in.