ON BEING SINGLE…

I have these beautiful bulbs that come up every year – with this lovely flower.  I have absolutely no idea what they are (my gardening friends might be able to help me out??) – but they are so pretty.  It’s wonderful watching a little green shoot poke its head out of the ground, then turn into something this lovely.  Bella has been entranced watching it bloom.  “Mum, Mum, come and see what’s in the garden today”.  Don’t you just love Spring??

p.s.  Can you tell I LOVE my new camera???  Fx

Here’s what happened at our house today.  Bella had a bit of trim…

I was keen for her to get it cut, but once it was all off I wasn’t so sure.  I’m sure it will GROW on me (ha ha).

I was busy, busy trying to finish the last of my 3 transcriptions (which I finally did, this evening – YAY) and so I asked the lads if they would cook us some muffins for lunch.

Banana choc chip was the desired option – except we’d run out of choc chips.

A rummage in the pantry came up with some white chocolate melts – so they chopped those up and threw them in.

They were VERY delicious.

It’s so great having boys who love to cook.  The two of them work together as a team, and share the tasks AND they even clean up!!!!  What more could a Mum ask of her lovely lads??

The hairdresser was commenting this arvo that their future wives will be very happy to have husbands who will bake for them.

As you can probably tell from the photos, Geordie is a bit immune to haircuts.  I managed to convince him that his fringe needed a cut today – but that was as far as he would go – given he had a BIG haircut 6 weeks ago.

I love that he’s very independent and wants to do his own thing (well, most of the time anyway!).

I’ve promised him that he doesn’t HAVE to get a short haircut before starting school next year, but I did mention that it might need to be “tidy” at least.  Just getting him to run a brush through the mop each morning is a major achievement.

Other news for the week is Angus’ teeth.  He’s going to have all four of his first adult molars removed under general anaesthetic the week after next.  Basically all 4 teeth are lacking in enamel and are misshapen and brown.  We consulted with a Paediatric Dentist who felt it would be best to remove all 4 teeth which will allow the next lot of teeth to come through and move forward and fill the gaps left by removing the other teeth.  This way he shouldn’t need braces etc.

Mmmmmm, don’t these look good???

And I’ll leave you with a front view of the new “do”.  Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the World.

Love,  Fi xx

I’m really enjoying keeping this blog.  It’s nice to think my friends can pop in online whenever they like to see what we’re up to.  Lots of people have said that they’re reading it, even though they don’t leave comments for me on the site. 

Grandma said that Granddad cracked up when we saw the bikie photos yesterday.    How we all laughed when we were doing the photo shoot!

Well life is rolling along nicely this week.  I’ve completed 2 of the 3 transcriptions.  It’s a bit of a slog.  Generally 1 hour of audio takes 3-4 hours of typing.  These transcriptions are focus groups, where up to 7 people will be part of a discussion.  Sometimes they all talk over each other, or somebody will laugh and block out the comments of another speaker, and sometimes one person can be sitting too far from the tape recorder which makes their speaking very muffled and difficult to hear.  So it can be a bit “trying” sometimes having to rewind 2 or 3 times to try and decipher what’s being said.  Still, all money in the bank at the end of the day, and better to be busy rather than sitting twiddling your thumbs.

I’ve really struggled to try and keep on top of everything that needs attention since I started my business.  School work for the children should come first, but often doesn’t, then my business work takes priority, and somewhere you also need to fit in housework as well.  It’s definitely a juggle, and I often feel like I’m living in total chaos.  If you could have seen my bedroom yesterday!!  However, I’m learning to just tackle things one at a time – so pick something that needs doing and complete that, then move on to the next task.  I have a very bad habit of letting everything pile up – then it’s all overwhelming, so I don’t do anything.  I’m not a neat/clean freak, but I do have a certain standard as far as liking everything sort of under control.  Since the separation at the beginning of this year, I’ve found it hard to actually maintain control.  Having Mum here made me realise how much an extra set of hands really lightens the load.  The kids are good at helping me out, and I notice they’re starting to ask “Mum, is there something I can do for you” and that’s such a blessing. 

I guess this is just a season of my life where I have to accept I’m a bit out of control.  Next year when the children are at school, I’m sure things will get a little more organised.  I’ll actually be able to tidy the house, and there’ll be nobody here to mess it up – well for a few hours at least, until they come home from school.  I’ll also have “free” time to sit and work during the day – whereas trying to squeeze bits and pieces in here and there at the moment is quite challenging, and stressful too – for everybody.

Being a single parent is hard work.  Trying to do everything yourself, where before there were two, takes it’s toll.  But I’m learning that it’s OK to have messy out of control days, so long as I’m disciplined to go around and slowly reign it all back in.

Well, that’s a bit of a ramble today isn’t it?  We’re enjoying a morning at home after a week of appointments and being out of our routine.

The kids and I were all struggling with a bug yesterday – headaches and sore throats etc. but today everybody seems to have bounced back, thank goodness.  Nothing worse than having a deadline for work and feeling under the weather, not to mention cranky, teary kids to boot.

Oh, I nearly forgot.  Exciting news this week – I’ve been offered a job – working one day a week in the Office at Church.  It will start next year, and I’ll be doing MYOB data entry, paying accounts, banking, payroll etc.  It will be a bit of a learning curve for me, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

I hope you’re having a lovely day.  Thanks for reading my rambles…

Fi xx

I can’t resist slipping in these shots of Mum – she dressed up in full leathers (compliments of her grandsons age 15 and 17) and hopped aboard one of their bikes.  What a hoot.  The white pants kind of let the outfit down though.  We had some good giggles out of this.  Go Grandma!!!!

Well I SHOULD be working, but I can’t resist putting up a couple of photos from my SILs birthday party the other weekend.

Angus was absolutely hilarious.  He had his outfit picked out WEEKS in advance, then proceeded to entertain us with a performance of Greased Lightning (which I managed to capture on video).  Just priceless!  They hired a jukebox for the party which was awesome and we all sang along with the golden oldie songs.

Rock

The Birthday Girl with Buddy

And one of my brother and I with Mum.  It’s been MANY years since we’ve all been together for a photo!

We all had such a great time.

Right, back to the grind.  One transcription down, two to go….

Fi xx 

Phew – I’m knackered… 10 hours of driving for 2 hours of gym competition.  It’s such a long haul to do in the space of a day.  Angus did really well at the Champs, but didn’t place at all - it was a little disappointing as I felt his skills had slipped this year.  They’ve had a new Coach so I’m not sure if it’s that, or whether he’s maybe just losing enthusiasm for it all, although he seems keen as mustard to keep on with his gym.  I’m certainly not one of those Mum’s who EXPECTS her child to bring home a medal every year, but I do like to see that he’s performing at his best – but this year it just didn’t quite come together, and actually none of the boys did very well (which is unusual for their club).

Oh well, onwards and upwards.  I’ve got my 3 BIG transcription jobs to get started on, even though I’d rather just put my head down and go to sleep.

I HATE daylight saving, which started here today.  Beats me why anybody likes it, although I have friends that do.  It’s nothing but interruption and annoyance in my life, and I could quite happily live without it. 

It was the Blessing of the Fleet in Geraldton today.  G spent all day there with Bella and Geordie.  Great news for Angus – he won $20 for one of his drawings (or maybe a painting) that appeared in the Seafood Cook Book which was produced by the Co-Op this year.  He was chuffed. 

The Book has some great recipes in it, so if y’all like seafood and have $4 to spare, let me know and I’ll get you a copy.  ACDC ran Art Classes for the kids in the 2nd School Hols this year, which both Angus and Geordie went to.  A lot of their artistic creations grace the pages of the Cook Book, so quite neat for them. 

Well time for dinner, then back to work for me. 

I PROMISE I’ll try and post some more photos this week, but it looks like I’ll be frantically tap-tap-tapping away to meet my Friday deadline.

TTFN, Fi xx 

Sorry, no time to post more photos.  I’m heading off to Perth in an hour to take Angus to the State Champs for gymnastics.  We’re sharing the car ride down with a friend and her son who is also competing, and staying with my bro and sis-in-law, so that at least keeps the costs down.

I’ve just taken on 3 large transcription files which need to be completed by Friday – I think it’s going to be a VERY busy week ahead for me, not to mention trying to squeeze a bit of school work in there somewhere, being taxi driver extraordinaire for the kids’ various activities, and trying to keep the house clean and tidy as well.  Good luck with that!

Mum texted this morning to say she arrived home safely.  I miss her heaps – it seems so strange not having her here with us.  The kids miss her too, and say “I wish Grandma was here to…..”.  She was so wonderful spending time with them all playing games, doing puzzles etc, or talking them for a walk down to the ball swings near the beach.

Well I must away.  I need to make our lunch and pack a bag.  I’m not particularly looking forward to the LONG drive again, but I am looking forward to Angus competing tomorrow at the Champs.  He’s amazing – never seems to get particularly nervous, just gets out there and does his thing.  When I did dancing competitions or exams in my younger days – I would be so nervous, could never eat, just felt sick!  Thankfully I always managed to get out on stage and dance OK though.

I hope you’re having a lovely weekend.  Will try and squeeze in a few more photos tomorrow if I get time.

Thanks for stopping in.

Fi xx

I’m flat chat doing a transcription job tonight, so not much time to post.  However, I’ll upload some more pics from last week.

Right, gotta dash.  Work, work tonight.  I’ll do some party pics tomorrow.  Wait until you see Angus….

Mum left this morning – tears all around for her and I (the kids were fine!).  I’m actually feeling pretty good, apart from my messy house, and working today hasn’t helped that.  I also managed to have a Kirby vacuum cleaner demonstration today (don’t ask – I blame Mum!).  Those machines are truly amazing in the amount of stuff they suck up BUT the $4000 price tag is pretty rich really.  Still, I guess if money isn’t an option, they’d be a good buy???!!!!  Not for this little chicken though.  My Dyson is just fine. 

Love, Fi xx

OK, it might take me a while…. but I’ll upload a few photos for y’all to see a bit of what we got up to in Perth last week.

On Friday I went to meet a few of my VA friends for a coffee at Sticky Beaks Cafe in King’s Park.  That’s such a great playground to take little folk to.  While I was there with Bella (she had a playmate called Elley to keep her entertained), Grandma and the boys headed over to the Synergy Playground on the other side of King’s Park, which is far more suited to mature young men like themselves (as if!).  I snapped a few shots of everybody at the park, although Bella was in “I’m not co-operating, thanks very much, mood” and it took quite some effort to get her to look at the camera, and in some shots she refused to participate.  How I hate difficult models!! 

Fun With Grandma at King

We all have to be up early to take Grandma to the bus (sob!) – so I’d better hit the hay.

Check in tomorrow and I’ll hopefully get a few more pics up.  I’m so happy with my new camera.  At last I can take decent pics again.  YAY.

Thanks for stopping by….

Fi xx

Well we’re home again.  I’m feeling very exhausted and tired.  Can’t seem to find energy for anything much. 

Mum is here for another day, then we put her on the bus Thursday morning to head back to Perth.  Not looking forward to that at all! 

The kids have loved having Grandma here, and spending time with her.  I’ve loved having adult company in the house, somebody to watch the kids if I need to duck out for a few errands etc. without having to drag the whole tribe along; and she’s just, well, my Mum.  You know??!!!  I will MISS her terribly once she’s gone.

Anyway, Perth was great.  We had a blast at the 50’s Party.  Will post some photos soon…..

It’s nice to be home.  I just wish I had more energy to actually DO stuff!!

Love,  Fi xx