2008 The Year that Was!

And what a busy year. My goodness, so much on and so much done.

Kids:
Ahhh, such beautiful creatures. They have grown and blossumed into more lovely, intelligent, fun, funny, frustrating, loving people with the year.

Beren started 'real' school in Prep this year. As opposed to homeschooling, which he was preparing for the year before. The first half of the year he was very enthusiastic but then the second half he started complaining and flagging a bit. He said school is way to hard, you have to do work! and you only get a short lunch break to play. Hmmmm, will someone please break the news to him gently that this is pretty much life LOL He finished year the year at grade 2 level for 2/3 rd of his subjects and the remaining ones were the high end of grade 1 level. Not bad for a kid who thinks the work is too hard.
He has come out of his shell so much this year. At the start of the year he was hesitant to mix with anyone, to initiate conversation and had very few social skills. By Dec he had achieved great social skills and communication skills. He is developing patience (doesn't get that from me) with others, is much more tolerant of his sister and enjoys teaching her things and playing with her. they have become very good friends. I am so very proud of him. He is such a loving and sensitive soul.
At the end of November Beren had his tonsils and adenoids removed and grommits put in his ears. The difference in his breathing, sleep and behaviour has been mind blowing. This was a difficult decision to come to and I had really tried every other option for over 2yrs before arriving at this one. I noticed a difference in recovery and once the swelling and pain had gone (after about 2wks) he is 100% on what he was.

Nienna had a very choppy year. due to my study commitments she needed to go into care during the week for a couple of days. She started out in family day care with a lovely lady but soon became bored and unhappy due to there not being enough stimulation. I moved her to a private childcare centre, unhappily for me as I am again these as they are too profit centred rather than child centred. However, it was next to Beren's school and cut down fuel costs and running around for me. She thrived and loved it, even though I found the care inadequate and was not happy at all. They ran a 3yo kinder program that she really enjoyed but once that ended in term 3 I took her out and moved her to a local council run centre for term 4. She settled there and enjoyed the last term. I felt the care, facilities and staff to be sensational and we will miss them greatly.
Nienna, is a very sassy and independant 4yo. A born performer who's life is one big stage LOL She really does have me in hysterics some days with her "Nienna Logic" and is a pleasure to spend time with. Her imaginative play astounds me and I love sitting here listening to her play. She is incredibly generous and kind and adores her brother and makes a great playmate for him. She is pure joy! She starts proper kinder next year and I just know she will thrive.

ME:
Well the kids aren't the only ones who have come a long way this year. I would say this year is the best I have been for many years. I feel confident as a parent and as an individual and am proud of my achievements. I managed to drop my medication (zoloft) from 200mg down to 125mg and am still here and going strong! Anxiety and panic have been at a barely noticeable minimum and that is a fabulous feeling.
I completed a Diploma of Community Development this year and did a concurrent Diploma of Sustainability. This kept me pretty busy and I did find it difficult to juggle with children but thanks to my teachers being very flexible and understanding I managed it and passed with a 98% average, pretty damn pleased with myself.

I have made some wonderful friends this year and created a beautiful circle around me. I became part of a knitting group formed through Ravelry and these women have become much more than just fellow crafters. Solid friendships have been made and will last for a long time I am sure. Charlotte and I really cemented a friendship this year too.

I had been throwing the idea around of moving back to Tasmania for ages and couldn't settle on a decision. A few weeks ago though, I just woke and knew that it was time to go home. Thus, the kids and I (and cats) take the Spirit of Tasmania on 24th January 2009 to start a new chapter in Launceston at the North of the State.

I will be closer to my folks who live in Bicheno, on the East Coast, which will be lovely for the kids and supportive for me. In February I start another grueling education challenge for myself. I am doing a Bachelor of Social Science/Social Work with the aim to work towards further study in Social Ecology



CONSUMPTION CHALLENGE 2008:

I know my blog updates on this fell by the wayside but I certainly didn't stop being very conscious of my challenge and trying to stick to it. To recap on the rules:

My rules for this challenge are:

1. I can buy underwear, toiletries, food, medicines new.

2. Clothing is sourced from 2nd hand shops, opshops, freecycle or made.
Well, from Jan - Nov I stuck to this. I pretty pleased with myself, not that I have ever been a big shopper of clothes. I did by a top and jeans with a gift voucher my mother gave me for my birthday in Sept. Yesterday I took advantage of a sale and bought 4 tops (much needed), a dress and a pair of jeans all for $40.

3. Fabrics are from my already massive stash or opshops, as is yarn.

I have bought fabric 3 times. Two lots were specific requests from Nienna and I didn't have the kind she wanted in my stash the 3rd was some discounted fabric for a dress for myself.

4. All gifts/cards etc will be handmade or second hand
I made all cards etc with the exception of one a few weeks ago as I was pushed for time for this birthday party.

5. Unless something is desperately needed and I can't find 2nd hand or freecycle then I will consider purchasing new IE washing machine/fridge etc
I haven't had to make any major purchases, I did buy a part for my washing machine 2 wks ago and fitted it myself. However, I also bought a portable DVD player for $98 for the kids to use on the boat trip to Tasmania. I wouldn't have been able to get this on freecycle and I am hesitant to buy stuff like that 2nd hand on ebay or similar.

6. I am menu planning and currently devising a shopping plan that is more economical for our groceries.
OK<>

7. I am consolidating debts and creating a budget that will allow me to trade my car in for a smaller more economical one
Still have my old heap but I did consolidate debts and am waiting for the right time financially to trade my car (ok, waiting til I have the money LOL)

8. I am decluttering, what I don't need I am passing on.
SHIT! I have surprised myself big time here. I have reduced my books to 14 boxes from 22 boxes. I have sold masses of stuff and donated half a truckload to Diabetes Australia. I had a garage sale a couple of weeks ago really had a good cull.

9. I am teaching and including my children in all of the above so they will be 'aware'
There is no way they can escape this and they are slowly getting the message.

10. I am slowly converting things over to more permanent solutions. By this I mean that instead of plastic in my cupboards I am almost all glass. Once I can afford it I will buy each of the children SIGG drink bottles as they are longer lasting and healthier than plastic ones. I already have a katmandu travel one.

I still want SIGG bottles but haven't got them as yet. I have almost depleted my plastics and pick up glass ware from opshops when I can.


All in all I have had the odd lapse but I have really proved to myself that 90% of my 'wants' are definitely not 'needs' and therefore are unnecessary. Doesn't mean I don't lust over 'stuff' I am human after all but I find it very easy to just walk on.


HOPES FOR 2009:

I hope that my kids and I settle into our new home and create a new circle of family/friends for ourselves quickly and easily.

I hope that our studies go smoothly without any hitches.

I hope for happiness for my kids and a less complicated life.

For me, I would like some companionship this year. I feel after almost 5yrs I am ready.

I really want to get healthy and lose weight this year and hope to come off medication completely.

I want to continue to tread lightly on the earth and be a positive influence in others doing the same.

And lastly I hope we are blessed with beautiful friends, love and laughter again as we have been this year and that the challenges are positive and a learning experience.

Love to all of my friends, family and blog readings, may the new year bring health, happiness and blessings to you all.

The Toy Society

I have just found out about this project and am blown away by it. I had never heard of it before.

You can read more about it here and I have a link to the right of this post too. Basically you make a toy, leave it somewhere with a tag explaining what it is about and send it a picture and location description. Hopefully the finder/recipient will then notify the Toy Society of their find.
Imagine how happy so many children could be if we all took part in this and what a great way for us to teach our children the art of giving :) This has made me very happy tonight

New products at kebeni

Been busy making some new stitch markers. Why not check them out while postage is free.

Don't forget that all yarn purchases come with a free gift for December only!

Kebeni @ Ozebaby

Past

Thinkin' about someone from my past alot today. Except it has been about 12yrs.

Christmas collage

We had a lovely Christmas, if not somewhat unconventional. The kids and I spent the first half of the day together, we shared a pancake/berry goodness brunch and opened out gifts, made the usual phonecalls and generally had a lovely 1/2 day. Their 'father' came to get them at 1 and then I chooffed off to the lovely Charlotte's house to spend the rest of the day with her and her brood. There I was treated to a divine lunch of turkey and ham with all the trimmings, finished off with plum pudd and homemade baileys icecream. I met her Nicki, Simon and gran from HK and UK, aka mum, stepdad and gran and watched the kids roll naked in lego and little ponies. Well not really, but I reckon if we said they could they would have! Heard tales of naughty and nice stockings and on that note decided it was time for me to go before I started hearing any more LMAO

All in all a glorious day spent with family and friends.

Aren't they just gorgeous

My kids are truly beautiful, and that is an unbiased opinion ofcourse!

These were taken Christmas eve and our local carols by candlelight. We went along and had a picnic dinner and spent time with some lovely friends. The kids had a ball and afterwards we did the traditional drive to look at decorations.

This photo above of Beren and the one below of Nienna would have to be my faves for this year

Complete and utter chaos!

Bloody hell! Who's idea was it to have a garage sale, start packing and cleaning and have Christmas all at once???? Shoot the idiot for gods sake! Oh,,,,,,,, it was mine. um well, just commit me then.

We are moving to Tasmania, or do I say back to Tasmania on the 24th January. In my wisdom I decided to hold a garage sale last weekend as I figure a lot of people go away after Christmas. This would have been fine except that both my kids had gastro that week and then I succumbed to it on the Thursday. Needless to say, lots of buscopan taken and I managed to get organised on Friday and have a successful sale on Saturday. The collection man for Diabetes Australia came and collected most of what was left this morning and some has been put out the front for anyone to take if they desire.

I have to get rid of a lot of the bigger furniture as it is far too expensive to take with us. Did I mention that removalists are capitalist pigs! Farout! talk about being in the wrong business, I think I will open up a removalist business, at the rates they charge I will have my own empire within a year LOL I have been quoted from $2200 upto $3700. It is unbelievable, needless to say I have been ruthless in my sorting and really culled a lot of stuff. I have managed to reduce our books to 14 boxes from 22 in a previous move. Destashed yarn, fabric , toys, clothing. Actually it feels quite good to be offloading. Still have a few things to go and hopefully ebay or freecycle will take care of that in the next few weeks.

I am all set for Uni next year. Accepted, enrolled and freaked. I get credit for 1 unit each semester next year so I will be doing 3 units; sociology, psychology and politics. Sheesh! A bit nervous. AND BOOKS!!! OMFG! For semester one they come to $441.00. Needless to say I will be trying to source second hand or using the library alot.

Househunting has kind of begun. I have been scouring realestate dot com and checking what is available, prices are so much cheaper over there. We will settle in Launceston and I can get a nice house for well under $200 per week as opposed to the $235 (and rising) I am paying now. I am looking forward to saving some money.

Yesterday I finally managed to get the kids stockings made. I had hoped to do nice knitted ones but time didn't allow so I did some semi-patchwork ones for this year. Nienna chose the fabric and I just used some remnant red felt for the back. I think they turned out ok.

Anyway, I have windows that need cleaning today so must go and make a start.

A merry christmas to you all and catch you on the downside :)

there's a mama in my cupboard

I found this lovely little creature in my craft cupboard this morning while packing. She has eggs and is hiding from the world as she protects her soon to be born babies. I quietly removed craft items and closed her back in to gestate peacefully. She is a 'daddy long leg spider'

Edited to add that she has had her babies. It truly is amazing watching the progression of this. The remaining egg sack has fallen off this morning and now she is just surrounded by her babies, protected in a thin web. I also notice that she is incredibly agressive now that she has to protect them. I put my hand near her and she started doing this 'scary' spinning dance thing to warn me off. Most fascinating

It's Madness!

For Katt and Andrea :)

I have been tagged by the lovely Bohemian Hippy Chick

I’m supposed to list my seven best albums of all time…however, I just can't decide that so I have put some of my current faves.

The Rules…

1. Post your list of the seven best albums, the seven bloggers you will tag, a copy of these rules, and a link back to this page.
2. Each person tagged will put a URL to their Blogger Album Project post along with a list of the seven best albums in the comment section HERE.
3. Feel free to post the “I Contributed to the Blogger Album Project” Award Graphic on your sidebar, along with a link back to this page.
4. Post a link back to the blogger who tagged you.

The Beautiful South - Rotterdam (or anywhere)
Ben Lee - Awake is the new sleep
Cruel Sea - Honeymoon is over
The Go Betweens - Love Goes on
John Butler Trio - Grand National
Marianne Faithful - Broken English
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Josh Pike - Private Education


um, who to tag?

well, I am tired, it is midnight so I am going to say, if you feel the urge to share your musical tastes then consider yourself tagged! Maybe I will name names tomorrow!

Pasta making

These are from back in November but I kept forgetting to blog about it. The kids and I made pasta and they loved it! I used to make my own all the time but kind of get caught up and forget how easy it is.
AND THE TASTE! OHHH, SO MUCH NICER THAN BOUGHT PASTA :)

fresh cracked pepper, tiny bit of olive oil and lots of grated parmesan!

Meme

Saw this on the Mad Quilter's blog and thought "why not"

I have purpled anything I have done - at least once....

Feel free to tell us about you on your blog too...

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited The Great Barrier Reef.
5. Stood under the stars in the outback, the real outback – think Uluru.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to the Gold Coast’s theme parks – anyone, you take your pick.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sung a solo.
11. Bungee jumped, jumped out of plane, been paragliding or hang-gliding, hot air ballooning – you get the idea, you’ve been hundreds of metres about earth in a seemingly flimsy contraption.
12. Visited Melbourne.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Had a child. Raised a child. Worked with children.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Been to the Snowy Mountains.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Visited the Brett Whitely studio in Surry Hills, Sydney.
20. Slept on an overnight train or bus.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Been backpacking.
23. Taken a mental health day.
24. Been buried in sand with just your head and toes sticking out.
25. Held a possum, kangaroo or koala – or any other native Australian animal.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Been in a fun run.
28. Been on the Blue Mountain cableway.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Played, or watched, summer cricket.
32. Sailed, kayaked or canoed our beautiful waterways.
33. Seen the Daintree.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Visited an Aboriginal settlement or mission.
36. Learned a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Toured the Sydney Opera House.
39. Tried rock climbing (indoor or outdoor), abseiling or just simple bush walking.
40. Visit Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art.
41. Been to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
42. Sunbaked at Bondi.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Broome.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone fishing.
49. Seen Tasmania’s old growth forests.
50. Been to the top of Q1, on the Gold Coast.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Driven the Great Ocean Road.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Norfolk Island.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Guide biscuits.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone jet boating.
66. Visited Port Arthur.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Australian War Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Federation Square.
74. Been on the Murray River.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Travelled, or climbed, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Three Sisters at Echo Point, Katoomba.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited St Mary’s Cathedral, in Sydney.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Been to Hermannsburg.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited Parliament House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Saved a pet.
95. Been to the site of the Eureka Stockade.
96. Swum in The Whitsundays.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a mobile phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Beren end of year concert

This is Beren's prep group doing their end of year performance. There are two prep classes combined

Christmas swap

I took part in a Christmas Swap on woolaholics again this year. We had to make a decoration and send a small gift. I was once again totally spoilt by Ali. photos are crap, not exactly happy with my new camera

Ode to the ravelry rocket ship

ODE TO THE ROCKET SHIP (to the tune of yellow submarine)

In a town, where I once dwelled,

I met a bunch from the net-world

They told of yarn around the table

And shared their love of using cable.

So we met at the café

All with patterns we did knit

And we dreamt of that fine day

Of our ravelry rocket ship.

We all love our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship

We all love our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship

As our numbers slowly grew

We soon became a madcap crew.

We took turns at the helms wheel

As we spun and turned a heel.

We all knit on our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship

We all knit on our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship

I love these gorgeous girls

who all knit some fancy purls

my heart does sing a sad old song

when I think of moving on………

I will miss our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship

I will miss our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship, our ravelry rocket ship

12 days of Christmas

This is from the infamous Dawn of 'Because I said So' fame

Bubble

I love this photo. I was taking a picture of the bubble for Maddy and Kat move back at the same time and then I realised Lisa was in the background so it made it look like she was in the bubble. Turned out to be a very clever photo.

A very SnB Christmas

We had our SnB Christmas Barbie today. We did a Kris Kringle, ate plenty of yummy food and had a great time. Thanks to Katt and Matt for kindly hosting and a hearty thanks to all you girls (and partners) for making it such an awesome day

Yarny goodness

Have just put these up on KEBENI today. Buy anything during December and receive a free gift. Don't forget that ALL stitch markers come with FREE postage too.

My tribe

She looks innocent enough doesn't she LOL Actually I may be slightly biased but I think she is perfect and justs gorgeous!

Beren was given some 'get well money' from my folks so he put it with some of his pocket money savings and bought a remote control car. He is so chuffed with himself and I am pround of his money management skills.

Yes, she is weird at times. This backing strip off the postage satchel sticky bit made a great pair of glasses apparently.

I took them to the library christmas craft on Wednesday. They made santas, well all the other kids made santas. Mine made a pirate and a princess.

what a great blog!

I came across this quite by accident and wow! Go back to the start of his blog and read thru, really! Do yourself a favour. Such a great family and such a great story of sustainable evolution (is there such a thing? is now LOL)

THE GREENING OF GAVIN

says it all really