I have a confession to make.
I am a hoarder. I keep far too much, just in case I might, one day, need it again. I will often buy something to store away, with intentions to use it later- and then not find it when I need it.
It wasn't too bad in our old house (near Sydney). We had storage space so I could keep things packed away neatly. In our current house, we don't have the storage space but I still have the stuff.
I have camping gear that I haven't used since about 1997. Bowling balls from about the same time frame. Formal dresses from 1990- my eldest daughter now fits into them. I still have my first wedding dress, and have been married second time around for nearly 8 years.
When my first daughter started daycare, I used to keep most of her artwork for sentimental value. Now that I have 4 children, I am scared of getting lost under the really important paperwork, so can't keep every beautiful artistic item.
(I started typing this post (one handed, while baby sleeps on my lap), while thinking 'out with the old, in with the new'. And by coincidence, hubby puts the Queen's Jubilee Concert on the TV.....)
But back to the clutter. I am having an Enjo party here next month, and I want some major de-cluttering done before a total stranger comes in and cleans my house while my friends watch. And it's so annoying and frustrating- thinking of an item or object, being so sure we still have it somewhere, and finding it when I no longer need it.
So while bub is still sleeping on my lap, I might check eBay and see how hard it is to sell stuff on there. I promise not to buy anything....
Saturday 9 June 2012
Sunday 8 April 2012
Happy Easter
Happy Easter!
As we grew up, special occasions were always family events. Every Christmas, every Easter, every Birthday was spent with the family. Mum/Dad/Grandparents/Aunts/Uncles and the cousins, all running around. Lots of good food, (from the evidence) lots of good alcohol, plenty of laughter and noise. Some of my best memories are from those family days.
But families grow. Making a living gets in the way of enjoying life. A visit to my parents used to involve a 15 minute drive- that was before our career required us to move away. Now, it's 12+ hours in a car, so the 'quick trip' just doesn't happen anymore. I grieve for the memories of family events that my girls won't have.
But we spent today with a wonderful family who reached out to us. We shared good food while watching the kids playing together. We laughed and chatted together while the kids laughed/cried/pretended to eat but were more interested in getting back to playing.
To my wonderful friend C, and her family- thank you. Thank you for opening your home and your hearts to us. Thank you for giving my girls memories which will last long after the chocolates have vanished.
As we grew up, special occasions were always family events. Every Christmas, every Easter, every Birthday was spent with the family. Mum/Dad/Grandparents/Aunts/Uncles and the cousins, all running around. Lots of good food, (from the evidence) lots of good alcohol, plenty of laughter and noise. Some of my best memories are from those family days.
But families grow. Making a living gets in the way of enjoying life. A visit to my parents used to involve a 15 minute drive- that was before our career required us to move away. Now, it's 12+ hours in a car, so the 'quick trip' just doesn't happen anymore. I grieve for the memories of family events that my girls won't have.
But we spent today with a wonderful family who reached out to us. We shared good food while watching the kids playing together. We laughed and chatted together while the kids laughed/cried/pretended to eat but were more interested in getting back to playing.
To my wonderful friend C, and her family- thank you. Thank you for opening your home and your hearts to us. Thank you for giving my girls memories which will last long after the chocolates have vanished.
Wednesday 4 April 2012
more about us
My family is my life. It's only fair that my second blog is about my family- apart from their importance to me, it will make it easier to understand some of my later posts.
Start with my husband. Next month, we celebrate 10 years since our first date. Back then, we were working together (technically, he was my boss!) and we were both in relationships with other people. We recognised that there was at attraction, but we didn't kiss/hold hands/anything until we both separated from our other partners.We got married in 2004 at the local registry office- a simple ceremony with only immediate family present.
My eldest daughter has just started high school. Since I separated from her father, we have spent probably about $30,000 in lawyers bills and legal fees, just so I can have my daughter living with me. We are now spending about $3000 per year in airfares so she can visit him. Not fun. (And, to be perfectly honest, having a 12 year old in the house isn't always fun either...)
Then there is the 5 year old daughter. At times, I seriously wonder if she has been sent to test me and try my patience. You hear about the kids who are into everything, who can't sit still, who don't listen- that is her.
And my 2 year old daughter. While I have been typing this, she has just done her first poo on the potty (sorry for the over share, but hey- it's a topic most parents talk about at some point).
Lucky last is the baby. She is now 11 weeks old and learning to respond to us. She loves smiling back at us, and is trying to laugh. She is such a happy baby! Yes, we have 4 girls. No, we weren't trying for a boy at the time. We actually weren't trying at all- our baby was conceived after the husband had a vasectomy. You hear about the failure rates but you always think it happens to other people. (And the bizarre luck stories we have had will be a post for another day. That one will make you laugh.)
So that is us. Apart from the fact that we are pretty boring, I have a sleeping baby on my lap and a tantrum throwing tired toddler in the lounge room. Time for sleep! (She says, optimistically....)
Start with my husband. Next month, we celebrate 10 years since our first date. Back then, we were working together (technically, he was my boss!) and we were both in relationships with other people. We recognised that there was at attraction, but we didn't kiss/hold hands/anything until we both separated from our other partners.We got married in 2004 at the local registry office- a simple ceremony with only immediate family present.
My eldest daughter has just started high school. Since I separated from her father, we have spent probably about $30,000 in lawyers bills and legal fees, just so I can have my daughter living with me. We are now spending about $3000 per year in airfares so she can visit him. Not fun. (And, to be perfectly honest, having a 12 year old in the house isn't always fun either...)
Then there is the 5 year old daughter. At times, I seriously wonder if she has been sent to test me and try my patience. You hear about the kids who are into everything, who can't sit still, who don't listen- that is her.
And my 2 year old daughter. While I have been typing this, she has just done her first poo on the potty (sorry for the over share, but hey- it's a topic most parents talk about at some point).
Lucky last is the baby. She is now 11 weeks old and learning to respond to us. She loves smiling back at us, and is trying to laugh. She is such a happy baby! Yes, we have 4 girls. No, we weren't trying for a boy at the time. We actually weren't trying at all- our baby was conceived after the husband had a vasectomy. You hear about the failure rates but you always think it happens to other people. (And the bizarre luck stories we have had will be a post for another day. That one will make you laugh.)
So that is us. Apart from the fact that we are pretty boring, I have a sleeping baby on my lap and a tantrum throwing tired toddler in the lounge room. Time for sleep! (She says, optimistically....)
my first blog entry!
I am new to blogging, so please be gentle.
Firstly- thank you for reading my blog. It won't be much- just my (often random) thoughts on parenting, working, the world and the juggling act involved.
I'm not planning on a regular day or time to write a new post. I have 4 kids so I can't guarantee my computer time. And some days I may have something I just have to share!
I will provide a warning- I like to talk. Some of my posts may end up rambling on about not much. Some posts may end up getting very long, as I am passionate about a few things. Some posts may also be short, as I may just have a thought to share or I may get disrupted too often to finish my post.
I don't profess to be a writer. I hated English at school, so my grammar, spelling and punctuation will probably leave a lot to be desired. There will be times when I don't get to proof read my comments. (And there may also be 'guest comments' from my girls- this will happen if I forget to close this site and my younger girls play on my computer).
That's about it for now....
Firstly- thank you for reading my blog. It won't be much- just my (often random) thoughts on parenting, working, the world and the juggling act involved.
I'm not planning on a regular day or time to write a new post. I have 4 kids so I can't guarantee my computer time. And some days I may have something I just have to share!
I will provide a warning- I like to talk. Some of my posts may end up rambling on about not much. Some posts may end up getting very long, as I am passionate about a few things. Some posts may also be short, as I may just have a thought to share or I may get disrupted too often to finish my post.
I don't profess to be a writer. I hated English at school, so my grammar, spelling and punctuation will probably leave a lot to be desired. There will be times when I don't get to proof read my comments. (And there may also be 'guest comments' from my girls- this will happen if I forget to close this site and my younger girls play on my computer).
That's about it for now....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)