Me and YOU Monday - The Finale

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*sniff sniff*

Yep that's right the lovely Karlee over at The Mother Experiment, host of the personal improvement and life changing Me and YOU Monday, has said this will be the last ever week of Me an YOU.

I know, sad right?  Though I do totally understand her reasoning and the fact that it will now be a monthly link up offers me some condolence.

Deep sigh

It's just that I was really starting to feel that I was making some awesome headway in maintaining the house in an acceptable manner.  I know that just because Karlee's not hosting it any more doesn't mean I have to stop posting weekly updates of my continued struggle with housework but it just doesn't feel like it will be the same.  *runs off crying*

Ok.  Big breath in and start again.

It is hard to believe that it has been nearly three months since this project first started.  Yep 3 months.  I wish I could say that in that time I became a new person, one that resembles something of a domestic goddess but alas that is not the case.  I am still me (which I am a bit glad about as on the whole me is a pretty cool chick) and I am possibly never going to be a domestic goddess but I have slowly found myself developing a new attitude towards housekeeping. (See I even have a new term for it, keeping rather than working sounds a lot more appealing)

Over the past few weeks I have come to the realisation that the biggest hurdle I needed to overcome was actually my own poor attitude and habits.  Neither of which can exactly be easy to change but they not impossible either.  I honestly feel that if I just keep plodding along I will get there.  Who know's perhaps I might actually be able to increase the plod to a bit of a run and get there even quicker?

When I first read Karlee's post about Me and YOU going monthly I was horrified. Part of me wass concerned that flying solo without the link up each would mean that I might get distracted.  Lose sight of the bigger picture and somehow lose not only my way but also my motivation.  Then I realised that in many ways by going monthly I will be tackling the bigger picture rather than just looking for it.  Though I am a bit glad the first month is only actually fifteen days.

So from here until November 1st

• I will ensure my house is clean and tidy
• All washing washed, folded and put away as needed
• The sink will be free from dirty dish towers and the floors will be regularly swept and mopped
• Tables and bench spaces will be left clear and clutter free
• Blog posts will be regular and awesome

All sounds pretty straight forward and easy really.

Only it's not.  There will  be ploys on my time and inclination.  My motivation will wax and wane with the moon.  Even my continued determination my ebb a little.  But I will not given in to it.  I will stay strong and focused.  I will get all of these little gritty things in order so I can get on with this thing called life.  

UPDATE - Pleased to say that Me & YOU has returned to weekly posts.  Here is the return if you are so interested

Grumble Grumble...Happy

So today has been horrid to say the least an it is not even lunch time yet which also means that apparently it is too early to start drinking. Unless of course you have a drinking problem, which as tempting as it sounds at times I don't.

Deep sigh

Actually if the truth were to be told the horrible morning didn't really start this morning it was a continuation of the bad mood we all went to bed in.  Yes yes I know you should never take upsets to bed but sometimes it just can't be helped.

Really it wasn't just last night that was the problem either.  There has been a slow gathering of lots of little things all building up like the awful weather that surrounds us at the moment.  The whole change of season thing is a bit tough at this time of year.  

After the heavy rains at the start of the year and the record breaking dry season that followed I am quietly expecting a horrendously hot and sticky build up. Oh joy of joys.

As a long term local I am aware of the perils that come with October.  In fact I am sure that is why mental health awareness week is found in October. The weather just sends everyone crazy, which makes understanding mental illness rather easy.

I wrote that on my newly acquired iphone 3 while at basketball this morning.  Yep iphone 3 not 4s or whatever the latest rage is.  I am more than impressed to say but the least.  Seriously you can not begin to imagine just how cool I felt this morning typing that out, letter by letter on the teeny tiny screen with the even teenier and tinery little buttons.  I was only doing it when DD1 wasn't playing though so I wasn't one of those totally obsessed iPhone users that drives me up the wall.  

Anyway where was I now?

I am having trouble keeping up, Kenny is playing in the back ground and right now at this very moment in time all seems right with the world.  The troubles that I was trying to share here earlier have all been and gone.  They were worse than expected but some how bearable with the end result being no serious damage was done and life will continue on as per planned.

I could do a whole post on the awesomeness of Kenny and Johnny and the joy they bring to me.  Seriously as soon as I start listening to them I fee any worries I a may have been carrying quickly drift off.

Of course an awesome evening sharing a bottle of wine and some awesome pizza over looking this view with a wonderful friend also helped me forget of the earlier troubles of the day.  Without being too picky on the actual day I would imagine it be a good 18 months since I last ate a meal without there being a child to steal share it with.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Thankfully this is not something I feel I can write with much authority but I there are a few things I want to try and say.

They say that 1 in 4 women have experienced baby loss at some stage.  Most of us know at least one of those 1 in 4 women.  My husband's best man lost their first born two weeks before our wedding.  I remember his wife (who I barely knew) saying how glad they were to have a reason to get out and have fun.  I remember watching her in awe as she was able to go on with life.

I was already a mother at that stage and could just not comprehend how it would be possible to on with life after the loss of a child.  Actually even when I was 12 and my Aunt lost her nearly 18 year old daughter I wondered how life was meant to go on after such a tragic loss.  Apparently it just has to.

Sadly the blogosphere seems to be like a collection pool of women suffering, coping and living with the loss of an infant or child.  I say sadly in that it is heartbreaking what some have been through I think it is awesome that they share their stories.  I can only imagine that knowing someone else has experienced something similar is something of a comfort.

So today October 15th, at 7 pm parents around the globe will light a candle in remembrance of their child.

Trish over at My Little Drummer Boys (who inspired me to write this post when I read this) said that

It is my sincere wish that those touched by the loss of a baby are well supported, able to process their loss and hopeful for the future... (not my words but heartfelt wish)

I would like to echo that wish and add

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To all out there who have suffered, 

and been touched by such loss

I send out an endless supply 

of love filled fairy wishes and butterfly kisses.  

I know not of your grief and have not felt such pain

and I wish that no one did, ever again 

But alas that will not be the case.

The Lord for some reason, and I don't know why,

will always be needing these precious souls by his side

May as each day pass, for those that hurt most

I pray for it to hurt just a little bit less.   

International Baby Wearing Week

Today I ventured to the neighbouring city to attend an International Baby Wearing Gathering.  You know coz it's like International Baby Wearing Week at the moment.

It was particularly nice because it also meant we got to hang out with The Besties that we don't get to see nearly enough.  The kids, as always had an awesome time playing with each other and we weren't really there nearly long enough, but that is just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

Back to the Baby Wearing.

Naturally we got there late but thanks to a toilet pit stop the group was delayed and we were able to slip on in.  Now before I go too much further I must stop and point out that so far I have pushed my comfort zone more than a few times.  So feel free to give me a pat on the back.

You see the neighbouring city I speak of is not one I like very much. (Sorry to all who live there)  I lived there once and let's just say that it was far from the best time of my life.  Though a few good things did happen there I guess.  All of that is for another post though.  For now all you need to know is that for me the twenty minute drive to get there is not my idea of fun.  Don't get me wrong it is not the driving as such I have a problem with.  In fact I love to drive.  This place just makes me shudder and cringe.

As a long term local I can remember when this particular city was born.  I can recall the type of things that the paper and news would report when on there.  It wasn't nice.  I remember going there and not feeling safe.  The six foot fence in every front yard did little to convince me of other wise.

It wasn't so bad when I was living there (years later).  I had trouble shaking my preconceptions though.  On top of that it always felt hot and dusty and dirty there.  It is only now I am realising why.  But again that is another post.

So here I am off to a gathering of people in a place I don't really like.  Hang on.  Did I just say a gathering of people?  Not just fellow baby wearers either mind you, who might I add were mostly strangers.  The gathering I speak of was held at a fairly busy market square so cue noise, loads of people and chaos.  None of which really rate on my list of fun.

So why had I gone to such much apparent discomfort?

Well it was another lovely friend who was organising the gathering.  I don't do it nearly as much as I should but whenever possible I like to support whatever exciting thing she is up to.  I find her incredibly inspirational and always so full of energy.  She is like a ray of sunshine and always positive.  Plus she has two children the same age as my younger two and they play beautiful so it is nice for them to catch up every now and then as well.  I don't believe that the only friends should be through school.

As it turned out I had a nice time (which I guess I kinda expected because otherwise I wouldn't have gone)  Sadly there were not many other Baby Wearers there but it was a bit of a last minute gig with an even latter last minute time change.  On the up side though with there only being a few women there we were all able to chat more intimately.  Well as intimately as you can yelling over some terrible noise trying to be passed off as music.

Despite all reservations about going I am rather glad I did.  I was able to have a wonderful conversation with another lady who turned out to also be rather inspiring.  When she said I am not much of a consumer I thought I want to spend more time with you.  When she said that she lives on rural block of land I thought I want to spend more time with you at your house.  Naturally though I kept these thoughts to myself.

Are you a Baby Wearer? Was there a Baby Wearing event near you?

Thankful Thursday - Fellow Bloggers

When I first linked in with Kate Says Stuff  and her Thankful Thursday I would generally have my post written earlier rather than later as I liked to make sure I 'got in early' if you will.  It was almost like an internal race with myself to ensure I got as close to the first link in as possible.

Now I have no actual idea where that hair brained idea came from but I had it nonetheless.  And it worked really well for me because it meant that I would have a post prepared by Thursday morning.  Ok sometimes lunchtime but that was the latest.  And I loved it.  I loved that I was about to confidently say I was finally regularly writing.  For this I was truly thankful for.

Some posts such as this really made me feel that I have hope as a writer.  There is a chance that I may actually be able to emotionally affect a reader, even if only for  a moment.  For that I am thankful.  It is for similar reasons I am thankful to Gemma over at My Big Nutshell who posted this which prompted me to write this Medication, Housekeeper, Nanny, or All of the Above? Which again provided me with a glimmer of hope if I am willing to try just a little, or a lot depending on desired outcome.  What I am truly thankful though is the kind words about me she shared on her FB page.  That brought more readers in an hour than I have had on some whole days.

Lately though coming up with a thankful post has been a bit trickier.  It is not that I have had less to be thankful for, because I haven't.  My life is incredibly blessed in many ways and I am constantly thankful for all that I have.  But  for regular readers I have been wondering if they are bored with what I feel like is just the same old same ole.  I have also been a bit worried about my thankfulness being superficial.  Being something I was just quickly trying to spit out so that I could link up quick in the hope of snagging an extra hit or two.  Not exactly in true thankful spirit now is it.

It is now Friday afternoon.

Clearly this post is still not finished.  Nor is a Things I Know post, both of which are normally done and dusted by now so I can spend the rest of the afternoon reading all the wonderful things that others know.  I know that I don't have to join in with them and that I can still read all the posts others have written without having one of my own, but I just don't want to.  I want to get these posts out there because as long as I keep regularly joining in it means I am regularly writing and getting that little bit closer to becoming discovered.

I wish I could say that I am thankful for the kind sponsor who recently approached me and begged me to come on board with their awesome project but alas that is not the case. (Hard to believe I know, maybe tomorrow it will happen?) Instead I am thankful for some more lovely bloggers who have made me feel a little bit special of late.

Firstly the fact that Modern Day Redneck has added APL to his sidebar of blogs he recommends is more than just a little awesome.  More than just a little bit awesome was also the way I felt when the lovely Karlee over at The Mother Experiment included me in the 10 Things You Didn't Need to Know About Me thing she had just been tagged in.  Then there is the equally lovely Tammy over at Broken Hearted Mummy who included me in her Versatile Blogger Award.

As tiny as these things are in the real world they really did mean a lot to me. I am truly thankful that these people, who really do not know any more of me than the words I have written, took the time to mention me.  After all there are thousands, if not a million other blogs out there that they could have referred to, but they didn't.  Instead they choose little old me.  And for that they are awesome and I say thanks.

Speaking of awesomeness and bloggers I am also thankful for my Monday Mention recipient this week, Diary of a SAHM.  Who with her Thankful Thursday post this week proved she was more than deserving of the mention.

Finally I am also thankful for you dear reader.  I really appreciate the time you have taken to read what I write.  You, the reader make it all seem like a good idea so thanks :)

So what about you? What are you thankful for?  Head on over to Kate Says Stuff and join on in or find out what others are giving thanks for this week

Wordless Wednesday - Birds

Linking up with Faith, Hope & a whole lotta Love 

and of course 

click button to head on over

Peace and Quiet

That is what I have right now and I am just loving it!  Absolute bliss I tell you.  After much nagging all afternoon hubs finally decided to take the kids out for a swim in the pool.  Despite having spent the morning at the water park they still wanted an afternoon dip.  Given how hot and sticky it is I can't really blame them.

The build up appears to be nearly here.  According to a friend via fb it was 35 degrees today with 78% humidity.  (read sticky sticky sticky)  The kind of sticky were your body has sweated so much there is in fact no more sweat left.  Yep I am sure when you live in the tropics you can run out of sweat.

A few suburbs have had rain but as yet where ever I am has been dry and I have just about had enough.  As much as I love the Dry Season I by October I am ready for some rain.  Ready for that cool fresh feeling that is in the air after a shower.  Inhaling in all that newness and fresh life that comes with rain.  Everything so green.  Lush.  Vibrant and strong thanks to nutrients falling from the clouds.  A somewhat visible cycle of life.

But back to the silence.  The only sound to be heard is the whirring of the fan and my fingertips upon the keypad.  Total. Utter. Bliss.

There is so much I want to be doing with this time.  So much I am doing with this time.  Catching up on blog reading and commenting, solving my own commenting issues.  Thanks to a quick Tweet response from Little Hero Hosting I seem to be able to post comments on people's blogs again.  Mind you I also receive an email from every comment I leave on APL so I still need to iron out a few creases.

There has been lots of discussions of late about sponsorship and the Digital Parents Conference in March. Part of me would truly love to go but I doubt it would really be doable.  I mean it is one week after my birthday so I could try and swing it as a birthday present, and if I bought the air plane ticket on sale (of course providing there is a sale before then)...maybe I could convince myself this would be an ok experience to try. (Ignoring palpatations in chest purely thinking about all that travel/time by myself)

Sigh.

Tomorrow is the return of school.  Ten weeks of the academic year left.  Doesn't seem long when it is put like that.  I am looking forward to just spending time with only DD3 again.  I have big plans on the horizon.  You know of being organised and stuff.  On top the housework and all that.  Being super mum extraordinaire.  I know it is possible.  I am already off to a good start with this post.  It is like the third in as many hours.  Though I will schedule this one for some random time in the future.  Which I might point out has been a plan of mine for a while.  Fingers crossed it will become a regular occurrence.

Well it has been a while since they left so it is probably not that long till they return.  Sensible Suzy says that I should go and get a jump start on dinner.  With all the water activity of today I am sure there are some hungry and tired little bodies about.

Actually on second thoughts I am going to link this up with Jess over at Diary of SAHM.  She has an I blog on Tuesdays that I always seem to miss!  Not this week though :)  Click the button below to share some Bloggy Love

Monday Mention - Diary of SAHM

Well once again it is Monday and once again I am linking up with the lovely Tammy over at Ramblings of a Broken Hearted Mummy for her Monday Mention link up.

This week I would like to introduce you to a lovely mummy blogger who is one of my regular reads.  One of the things that I love most about is that she actually lives quite near to me.  Since in the scheme of things I really live in nothing more than a big town (despite it technically being a capital city) I think it is pretty cool that I managed to stumble across a local blogger.  I am sure that there are probably many many local bloggers near me but as yet I haven't found you :(

So this lovely mum to four is open and honest in her writing.  As well as a little crazy (in that awesome kind of way) and highly entertaining.  She tackles the big issues head on and continually puts herself out there.  So without further adieu I would like to share with you

Click the little butterfly and it will take you straight over to the ever so lovely Jess at Diary of SAHM  Make sure you put your feet up, grab drink and have a good poke around,

 there are some great posts over there.

Me and YOU - Still in the right direction

Yep that's right the last week has been nothing short of disastrous.  As I sit here there are dirty dishes to be found, washing to be done and piles of clothes patiently waiting to be folded and put away.  Every bench, table and surface space is covered with clutter.  It aint pretty.

On the upside though the floors have been vacuumed a couple of times and the dirty dishes are actually rinsed and nicely stacked and not that old yet. Still on the whole this weeks productivity levels on the housework front have left more than a little to be desired.  I know that I have the old we were busy with school holidays line but it is still no real excuse for the current debacle that is my house.  Especially since last week when I posted I seriously thought I was on top of it all.

That was last night when I was trying to at least be organised in the blog world.

This morning is a slightly different story (emphasis on slightly).  There is still a pile of washing patiently awaiting it's turn to be folded and put away.  Just as a few benches a waiting for their turn to be cleared and wiped.  There is however less dirty washing to wash and no more smelly wet towels laying around.  The tower of dishes has been reduced to a single story.  Hubs very kindly said this morning on his way to work that he would do them tonight as it was his turn.  I pointed out that meant I would have to look at the all day.  To which he responded with well go out for the day.  Grrrrr....men

Despite hubs kind offer I got stuck into most of the dishes before the school run and will finish the rest off when I am done here.  Despite the current appearance of the place I know that for the most part it is only on the surface that looks out of control.  If I peer closer I can see that the foundations of my earlier hard work are still there as long as I act now.  That is the trick really.  Acting now, before it all becomes too much.  Taking the extra five minutes here and there to just do that little bit extra.  It all adds up in the end.  No, really it does.   Small things like washing the dishes as you go or folding the washing as you get it in.  Just little bits here and there really do help create a bigger picture that is much more manageable than in the past.

Now I must admit that in the past I have been a bit skeptical about the just doing little bits at a time but I am now starting to reassess.  So to really test the whole little bits here and there theory one of my goals for this week is to focus on doing little bits here and there to ensure that I continue in the right direction.

There are also a few other things that I will try and keep in the forefront of my mind.  Like time management and not being late.  Those who know me well know to add a good 15 minutes to any time I give before expecting me to turn up.  Being late all the time really is a sign of disrespect and does not set a good example for the kidlets so I am going to add that to the list of things I am going to work on.

To find out how the rest of the Me and YOU gang is going head over to The Mother Experiment

Why wont you let me comment??!!

That is what I am screaming constantly at my beloved iMac screen.  For some reason when ever I leave a comment it fails to actually appear and it is really starting to BUG me.  Actually as the picture suggests I feel like pulling my hair out.

I love comments.  I love leaving comments as well because I know that others love getting comments.  I hate that my comments are not showing up and I don't know how to fix it.

I think that it has something to do with the intensedebate comment thingy I installed a few weeks ago but I don't want to take it away as I love being able to reply directly to comments.  It just adds such a nice personal touch and allows more of a flowing conversation if the need arises.

Have you had a similar experience? Are you are techno guru that knows how to fix such things? Can you point me in the direction of how to go about fixing it?

Image credit here

Medication, Housekeeper, Nanny or All of the Above

After surviving the Bunnings BQQ fundraiser I greet Saturday night slightly before exhaustion.  The constant late nights this week are the main reason for any real lack of energy though.  That and the fact it is the end of an action packed school holidays that has seen much excitement and activity, but that is all another post in itself.  Due to being to tired we are having a Saturday night at home (don't you love the way that sounds like most Saturday nights we have something to do?) Which means I get a chance to catch up on some of my favourtie blogs.


The first one I stopped by tonight was Gemma over at My Big Nutshell who was raising the question what would you prefer a Nanny or Housekeeper?  She had asked her Face Book likers what they would choose.  The resounding result was a Housekeeper, so they would be able to spend more time doing fun things with the kids.  


Gemma however would opt for a Nanny.  She makes some very valid points as to why she has such a preference.  After watching her Vlog I found myself longing for a Nanny as well, even if only for a few hours a week.  Which is a bit strange to hear myself say as until now I feel a little lost if I am not looking after little ones.


One of Gemma's main reasons for a Nanny was so she could housework without being constantly interrupted.  Which got me thinking.  Perhaps that is why I can't get any housework done?  The kids keep interrupting me.  Which then got me thinking how lovely it would be if there was a Nanny around to help out.  I suddenly found myself flashing into a Brady Brunch style life where Alice was there flipping the eggs for breakfast while I buttered the toast she just cooked and sipped on the coffee she had just made.


Oh deeeeeep looong sigh.........


Wouldn't that be nice?  An Alice.  Someone who was just there to get on with those niggily little things that really give life that super sweetness.

Then as I picked up the freshly made (by Alice) lunches and put them in the respective school bags, Alice would clear the dishes and tidied the kitchen.  The children and I would calmly and quietly walk out the door off to start our day with a full tummy and a yelling free morning.  Imagine the things we could do if our day started off like that...

Instead my reality is a mad search for matching socks after a ten minute hunt for all the other needed clothes for the day.  Of course before all of this there was a 15 minute discussion over what breakfast should consist of and trying to find a happy medium between what is actually in the cupboard and what they desire.  Throw into this bits of not done homework, unread readers and a pile of dinner dishes that should have been done the night before.

Arrrhhhhh.  No wonder some mothers scream.  Or drink.  Or both. A Nanny would ensure readers are read, homework is done, breakfast is served and lunches made all without anyone turning into a bluthering mess.

Alternatively, Gemma suggested we could be medicated to numb the burning desire to yell and scream and stamp feet when things don't go as smoothly as if they would if Alice were around.  Which I gotta tell you I have wondered about myself.  Some times, on those days when nothing has gone to plan, when the too hard basket is overflowing, the thought of cooking dinner (aka surviving the witching hour) is too overwhelming and Mt Washmore has now become bigger than Mt Everest and there is a little person (or two or three) pulling at your leg...wouldn't it be nice if there was a pill that would just make it possible to have it all fixed in a sanely non yelling kind of way?

If there were some ingenious pill that could take all of that away, or make it some how copeable, I would take one in an instant.  Yes yes I know that I should just organise it so that crazy type of environment is never created but no one is perfect, least of all not even me. (like the positive note there)


Hmmmmm....

This post was started last night, but due to waking children and stuff like getting them back to sleep getting in the way I didn't get it finished.  Which is a shame as now I have lost my train of thought.  Grrrr... and since everyone is waiting on me to get this finished so we can go to the water park I am crumbling under pressure and unable to think.  Grrr...grrr....grrrr....If I had a Nanny or a housekeeper or just an extra set of hands then the fruit for said outing would already be cut and in the packed ice bag ready for departure.

Sigh if only....

Things I Know - My Dad

Yay for Friday!  Yay for Home! and most importantly Yay for my Dad!  This week my TIK post is all about things I know about my dad.  The last few posts this week have all been about Dad.  Yesterday was the second anniversary of his passing and this was my way of coping with it all.

I know that I still miss dad much more than I think most people around me realise.

I know that I am glad he is no longer in pain and he has gone to a better place and all that jazz.  Still doesn't stop me missing him.

I know that people deal with death and remembering the dead in different ways and that is OK.  I hope that other people remember that as well.  I know that I have trouble being near some family members in times of grief as I want to be the saddest.  Selfish I know but some times we need to put ourselves first and this is one of those times for me.

I know that the photos I wanted to take last night were not nearly as good as the ones I took last year.  Last year when we went to have dinner with dad (chinese take away where we scattered his ashes) I took these stunners

This year I have none.  We got there late and missed sunset.  I also didn't have my camera, I had been hoping to try out the camera qualities on my new to me iPhone (used to be hubs).  I was particularly keen to try instagram only for some reason it all seemed not to work.

I know that helping DD2 come to terms with this whole death thing is not always easy.  She is always talking about dad and how much she misses him.  Last night she was devastated because all she wanted was a kiss and a cuddle from her grampa.  It.Broke.My.Heart.  What I would give for one as well.

I know that when I put my status yesterday as I like you a bit you know only my brother and sister would have known that it was something dad used to say to us.

I know that there is a part of me that feels a little guilty for carrying on about my dead dad.  After all, he was old and sick and had lead a wonderful life.  There are mothers out there grieving over their lost children.  Precious new little lives lost before they had a chance to live.  Thankfully there is another part of me that has the common sense to go yes those lost little lives are sad, but that doesn't stop you (me) from also feeling sad about no longer having my dad with us.

I know that this is probably enough for now.

I know that if you want to read more things that people know you should head on over to Shae's.  Click the button and it will take you right there

Thankful Thursday - My Dad

Today is the second anniversary of dad's passing.

I remember thinking two years ago it will get easier with time.  I remember thinking last year I wonder when it will get easier with time?  This year I am not really ready to say it has gotten easier with time.  It hasn't gotten any harder but I am not sure that it is really easy yet either.  Regardless it is only fitting that today's thankful post be all about my dad, because Lord knows there is so much about him that I will always be eternally thankful for.

To start with I am thankful for the simple fact that he was my dad and he loved me with all his heart.  Something that I will never ever doubt.  Regardless of what happened I always knew he was there for me.  Always.

I am thankful that he (and of course mum) brought me up to be the caring, considerate and generous person that I am.  He was always there to help a mate in need and made sure that all his kids were the same.

I am thankful that even after a hard day at work he still had time to sit and talk and cuddle and play.  I am thankful that he had such a strong work ethic and always made sure that he had earnt his day's pay and instilled the same in me.  I am thankful that at some points in my childhood I got to go and help him at work.  It made me feel so grown up and useful.  I treasure those memories with all my heart.

I am thankful that I was able to have my dad walk me down the isle and give me away to the man I loved.  I am thankful also that our marriage had his blessing and when he went he knew that I was with someone who would love and care for me.

I am thankful that at least the two older girls got to know dad and were of an age when he passed that they will be able to remember him.  What I really am thankful for though is that he got to know them.  In the final years DD2 and I spent a lot of time with dad.  The look on his face when we would walk in the door was priceless.  You really could see it lift his spirits.  More treasured memories I will hold onto for ever.

As sad as I am about dad no longer being with us I am thankful that he was with us for as long as what he was.  Eighty years is a long time to walk the earth, I hope I get to last that long (and maybe a bit more actually).  I am also thankful that when it was time for him to go it was relatively quickly.  I am not sure I could have watched him suffer any more than what he did.

Finally I am thankful that now, two years on I am slowly able to talk about him without a flow of water works.  I still get teary but it is much better than what it was.

So what are you thankful for this Thursday?

Wordless Wednesday - My Dad

Dad 1942

Dad and his mum early 1940's

Dad, Mum and baby me

Dad's birthday 2007

DD2's birthday 2008

Dad, Me and Baby sis 1985

My Dad 1929 - 2009

Playing along with the ever so lovely Trish over at 

and the very talented Faith Hope & a whole lotta Love

Make sure you head on over and check them both out as well as all the other great entries this week

Me and YOU - Slowly slowly ever so slowly

So how did I go last week?  Well read on and find out!

As I write there are no piles of dirty dishes at my kitchen sink.  Nor are there piles of dirty washing waiting to be washed.  I mean there is washing waiting to be washed but it is not it's usual mountainous size.  I have accepted the fact that there will probably always be washing waiting to be done like much in life it is the size that matters.  As for the folding and putting away of washing...let's' just say there is a bit of that to do but it is not covering the couch, dinning room table or any other important area of the house.  There is a small mound in my bedroom but that has been there for so long now I am actually thinking I should just donate everything there as clearly we don't need it.

All in all not a bad effort I say.

I feel I can honestly say that for the majority of the week I was on top of most things or very close to it.  There was a day or two when everything was a shambles but we all know I am far from perfect (much to my disappointment at times) so really a shambles day here and there is to be expected and is a massive step up from the shambles weeks I used to have!

Now when I started this post (hours ago thanks to many interruptions) I had intended to write about the importance of priorities and how if I was able to prioritise a bit better, life would be, well a lot better.  Only now, that train of thought is once again lost.  Though I have been trying to get something out about priorities for over a week now...something/one always seems to get in the way.

In all honesty though trying to stay afloat of the housework has been a bit of an effort.  It has taken some readjustments and doing things a little different.  It has also meant sacrifices.  Actually the only real sacrifice has been computer time (which apparently is not a bad thing)  It is amazing how much more time there is in the day when computer time is drastically limited.

The real key I think is consistency.  Never letting things pile up and up and up so that they become overwhelming.  Doing little bits here and there really has made a difference to the overall picture.  I know that these are all common sense things and for a lot of people reading you will probably be wondering why I feel this is a startling revelation.  What can I say sometimes I am a little slow off the mark?  Actually I am a procrastinator that would much rather play with my children/computer than do housework.

So where to from here?

Well clearly I still have a long (read really really long) way to go before I even come close to achieving anything that resembles domestic goddessness.  But that's ok.  In fact I am not sure I will ever be a domestic goddess and I am not sure I really want to.  All I really want is to be able to have people over with out them feeling uncomfortable because they are sharing the couch with all our clean undies.  I would also like said people to be able to get a clean cup for their beverage and use the sink without fighting through the worlds largest tower of dirty dishes.  Not a big ask really.

For the coming week my goals are

1. Maintain the house's current order (I did think of saying improve but I would much achieve than fail so maintain it is, after all there is nothing stopping me from improving it if I so desire)
2. Declutter the table or the bench
3. Be super busy outside the house lots in the hope it helps keep the inside clean (since it is school holidays being out and busy is not such a huge ask)

It is such a tricky juggling act though.  It feels like I can only do one thing.  I can have a clean and tidy house or blog lots or be busy at the school not all three at once.  Really my ideal dream goal is to have a  spotless house, awesome blog and help out lots at the school.  Not really much to ask is it?

Head on over to Karlee at TME to see how everyone else has gone.  And you know what it is not too late to join in if there are some areas of your life you wish to change.