Taking Stock

I hate taking things for granted, and so I'm jumping at the chance to Take Stock as Pip at Meet Me At Mike's has done (and done so well!). This is such a good way to look critically at your life and where you stand at the moment. So, here goes!

Making : a mess usually! It seems to be my way!
Cooking : hearty stews with lots of veggies
Drinking : Jarrah Choc O'Lait
Reading: Lone Wolf by Jodi Piccoult
Wanting: the answers to how, why, when and who.
Looking: at the big picture as much as possible, and ignoring the little things.
Playing: Candy Crush. Such a mindless game, but addictive.
Deciding: on our next camping location
Wishing: there were more hours in the day to sleep and get stuff done.
Enjoying: the coolish weather. I am such a Autumn/Winter girl.
Waiting: for the next Netball game
Liking: House of Cards with Kevin Spacey
Wondering: what my next favourite TV series will be.
Loving: my family (of course)
Pondering: over the fate of our world
Considering: my options incase I win Lotto
Watching: my children growing up right before my eyes
Hoping: that we have many more years together
Marvelling: at the beauty in our world
Needing: others to see their is beauty everywhere
Smelling: fresh bush air
Wearing: jeans and long sleeved top
Following: so many other bloggers, that I have lost count.
Noticing: more grey hairs, but isn't that what hair dye is for?
Knowing: ageing isn't the worst possibility
Thinking: of others who are worse off
Feeling: grateful ... always
Admiring: the things we have worked hard for
Sorting: children's clothes as they grow out of them
Buying: bigger sizes for the children
Getting: frustrated with clothing sizes
Bookmarking: Outlander, trying to get ahead before the next series.
Disliking: when you get hooked on a tv series and are left waiting a whole year
Opening: envelopes containing bills
Giggling: constantly at the antics of my children
Feeling: grateful ... always
Snacking: on cashews. Aren't they fabulous, but trying to restrict myself.
Coveting: Cadbury chocolate
Wishing:that I didn't like chocolate
Helping: as many as I can by donating blood
Hearing: little feet running

Relax and Refuel

We spent the Easter long weekend, just like every other. We relaxed, refueled and retreated.

It is our Easter family tradition to head down to the southern tip of Tasmania to our favourite holiday house.

I spent a lot of time sleeping, reading, doing a crossword or two, and some fishing. We visited a market and garage sale, cooked up some tomato sauce, chilled together .... and went fishing.

We like to keep our schedule simple and stress free. The beginning of the year can be really hectic with back to school, sports, work and social commitments.  Its lovely to step back from it all and slow it all down.

I find Easter is a good time of year to assess what is working and what needs attention. I like to look within our family and in myself.

Is there a time through the year when you need to refuel?

The Chance To Escape And The Chance To Win

I like to travel to places far away, and step into the shoes of the locals. While I am there, I like to experience different tastes and try new things; sometimes all in the same day. Of course, I can do this regularly and on a reasonable budget. Many would say that I live quite a dull life, but if they could see what I see when I get lost in the pages of the books I read, they would see that I am busy with adventure, passion and keeping up with the many characters I come across.

Reading books has been a huge part of my life since I first learned to read.

Books have taken me far and wide, introduced me to the most fascinating people, and have been able to capture my attention and imagination until I have forgotten where I am.

I would like the same experience for my children ..... and your children too!

Bookworld has the most amazing competition centred around the Middle School books by James Patterson.  

Middle School-Get Me Out Of Here , is the second book in the series, where Rafe Khatchadorian sets about trying to find his place in the new school as he enters Grade Seven. 

In Book 3, Middle School-My Brother Is a Big Fat Liar, Rafe's sister Georgia Khatchadorian is next to start at the school, but her brother has certainly made a name for himself, leaving Georgia to prove that she is not like him.   

Middle School-How I Survived Bullies Broccoli And Snake Hill is Book 4, and Rafe is off to Summer Camp. He is in for a few surprises and makes new friends. 

Simply purchase either Book 2, 3 or 4 to be entered into the competition.

It's that easy!

What is the prize? I'm so glad you asked.

By purchasing either Book 2, Book, 3 or Book 4 from the Middle School series, you are entered into the draw to win a 5 night Gold Coast family holiday valued at $4000.

Also, your purchase qualifies you to receive Book 1 from the Middle School series for FREE - Double bonus!

Just click on www.bookworld.com.au/middle-school to enter.

Check out this link to Zagame's Paradise Resort, where you could be spending five nights with your family (flights, meals, daily activities and entertainment for the kids included in the prize) Plus VIP passes to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, and Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast!

Enough said!

Hop on over to the above competition site to enter now!

 

Disclaimer : This post was in collaboration with Bookworld.

When I Can Catch A Few Lines

Life is so busy, but you know that, right?
I would love to know where you have found the time to read this ... because I have been thinking a lot about finding the time lately.

I am actually catching up on some reading and writing this post whilst my daughter is at her weekly swimming session.
Oh, and I am watching her, really I am!
Watching her doing her laps and improving her stroke.

I find so often though, that I am trying to cram in several tasks at one time. Not because I am that time poor, though work commitments and housework are a bugger for eating up my time. I am cramming stuff into my days because there is so much to do.

I am a terrible time waster and easily distracted too.
Something I clearly need to work on.

So do you dedicate time to your passions, or just grab time whenever you can?
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Thanks For The Valuable Lessons

Last year, as our son started his new adventures in Prep at "The Big School", hubby and I voiced our opinion to the school which teacher was "our" choice. The teacher we had chosen was known to us, having taught our daughter at the same age. More important, to us, than knowing the teacher, was knowing her technique and structure in the classroom.


We feel that this decision served our son well, as he integrated into full time school life. Perhaps if we had any choice of teacher in Kindergarten, he would have struggled less?

This year, whilst being assigned the same teacher, it was to be for only the first two weeks of the 1st term, as she had made plans at the end of last year to move interstate.

While we are saddened to see our school lose a good teacher, we feel that our son has benefited greatly from learning from her in his first year.

The areas of growth and learning he experienced were less to do with reading and mathematics, but more along on the lines of behaviour and maturity whilst in the school setting and amongst his peers.

I think that, at such a young age, that this is an important starting platform.

His teacher placed great importance on listening, following instruction, showing respect to your peers, speaking with confidence, being rewarded for outstanding behaviour, encouraging family communication, representing the school ideals, and trying your best.

With these lessons fresh in his mind, he can build on his education and we look forward to a fresh face, and new learning opportunities with his new teacher.

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1,2 & Sometimes 3 Review and GIVEAWAY

I love a good poem, and even better, I love poems that I can relate to and make me laugh. It has been quite some time since I have read some poetry, besides Cat In A Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. I jumped at the chance to check out a clever compilation of poetry that we have been reading as a family. It is called 1,2 & Sometimes 3 and is cleverly written by Luke Nolan & Benjamin Nolan, and illustrated by Theodore Adams. We have all been getting a giggle from the clever play on words and the great illustrations that go with the poems.

Just like blogging, poetry can come from so much material from everyday life. So why not write poems about stinky feet, bed bugs, growing and dreams?

 

1,2 & Sometimes 3 was written and illustrated from the point of view of a young child. As you read through the book as an adult, you are taken back to some amazing memories. Reading the poems with your children is easy because the topics are ones that children are interested in, as well as being a little funny, and they flow off the tongue in that beautiful sing-song, rhythmic way.

1,2 & Sometimes 3 is available in paper-book and eBook on Amazon.com

Luckily, for the lovely readers of Bright Side Up, I have a Paper-book copy to give away.

Conditions

• each entrant must enter through the Rafflecopter form at the very bottom.

• Once all mandatory entries are complete the OPTIONAL (NOT mandatory) extra entries will be unlocked and can increase your chances of winning. However, you do not need to complete the extra entries unless you want to.
• All entrants must remain “likers” of the Facebook pages for the duration of the giveaway
• The prize is not refundable or transferable.
• This competition is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.
• The information gathered by the application will not be used for anything other than to find the winner of this competition.
• Entries will be verified before announcing winners
• This competition is open to Australian residents only
• The competition is now open and will close at 4pm (EST) on  23rd of March 2013
• The winners will be announced on this blog post and notified by email no later than 8pm on 25th of March 2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can you keep a secret?

Tomorrow is hubby's birthday. But that's not the secret.

I finished the shopping for his pressies today.
While the gifts themselves are nothing too exciting for the average blog reader, they are things I hope he will like and enjoy.

So tonight, as he was visiting a mate, I got the kids to write in his card, and we placed his pressies in a big gift bag.

The kids love surprise presents, and even though we ask each member what they would like for their birthday, what they will eventually get remains a secret until they open your gift. So hubby knows he is getting a new Shimano Fishing Reel (because he picked it out himself), but he doesn't know what else is in the gift bag.

When hubby returned home tonight, the kids were in their PJ's and I was reading a story before tucking them into bed. As we heard him coming in the door, I put my finger to my lips to remind the children (mostly Master 5) not to talk about the presents in the gift bag.
Hubby poked his head into Miss 8's room (where Miss 8 and Master 5 were snuggled under her doona, waiting to hear whether Ariel and Prince Erik live happily ever after) to say his Good-nights.

Master 5 could sit still no longer, and was absolutely busting with the knowledge of what was in the gift bag. He sprang out of the bed, and with many giggles and hushed whispers, he pulled Hubby into the hallway.
Master 5 whispers quite loudly, so it was not hard to hear "Daddy, we got you a new Fishing Reel for your birthday".
Hubby played the part and acted very surprised and excited.

The cuteness of this act pardoned Master 5 from disclosing our secret.
It seems he is closely following in his father's footsteps, as Hubby could never keep a secret as a child either, according to his family.

Curiosity may have killed the cat; but it puts a big grin on the faces, and a twinkle of mischief in the eye of the two males in this family.

So, can you keep a secret?

Unbearable Lightness Book Review

I love immersing myself in a good book. Admittedly, since becoming a parent I find it harder to block the world out ans really sink my teeth into a story. So, when I do manage to do this, I need to share it. I know I am committed to the story when I find myself thinking about the character throughout my day, and thinking about their situation.

Unbearable Lightness, written by Portia de Rossi is her own story to tell. The book focuses on her acting career, her sexuality and her eating disorder that dominated her life. It is a story of real struggle and contradiction. Here was a woman who wanted to be a model and actor, yet was uncomfortable with the attention. A woman, who had admiration and could see the beauty in others, but not herself. A story of a woman battling a mental disorder, while denying it existed.

I remember Portia de Rossi's entry to my life and the television series, Ally McBeal as Nelly, and I joined others in watching this natural beauty work her character with sex appeal, intelligence and confidence. I remember thinking how cool this girl from Australia was, joining the Hollywood scene and living her dream. In the book, Portia gives her own recollection of starting on Ally McBeal, which couldn't have been more different to what I imagined. As she describes her workday, her joy and frustrations, her high and lows, I marvelled at her honesty and the detail she offers to help you enter and understand her world.

Her anorexia and bulimia dominated her life for 20 years, and I really felt the emotion and dominance of her mental illness. I was continually shocked at the practices that she thought were normal, the thought process of the disorder, the ever-shocking calories intake(or lack thereof), and the numbers on the scales. 

The last chapters of the book describe her recovery and finding happiness with her wife, Ellen Degeneres. Some may say this section has been brushed over, but I felt she wanted the struggle with her disorder and sexuality to remain bold and clear.

Meet Me on Monday

I am linking up with Java for the first time. Here goes with my riveting answers. Enjoy!

Questions:

1.  Tomorrow I'm going to _________?
Finish weeding that damned veggie garden. (if it does rain)

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2.  Pudding or Jello?
Or definitely pudding. Jello is a bit of nothing for me. Is the pudding chocolate?

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3.  What book are you currently reading? 
A really good book, but just can't get my teeth into it 'cause there are so many blogs I wanna read. lol

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4.  What is the first concert you went to see?
Young Talent Time in concert. Say what? Never heard of it? OK - so back in the 80s I was addicted to an Australian Talent show which aired each week on TV. I went to see them in concert twice. There are talks of bringing the show back. I can't imagine it will be the same, but, for my daughter, I hope so.

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5.  What is your current weather? 
It was warm today in Tasmania and just a little overcast - just nicely sitting around 21 degrees Celsius. Great weather to have a day off. Tomorrow does not look so good.

Forecast for the rest of Monday

Summary

A few showers.

Chance of any rain: 40%

Hobart area

Cloudy. Scattered showers. Winds southwesterly averaging 15 to 20 km/h.

Tuesday 13 December

Summary

Min 10

Max 15

Shower or two.

Chance of any rain: 40%

Rainfall amount: 0 to 3 mm

Hobart area

Cloud decreasing. Isolated showers. Winds west to southwesterly averaging 15 to 25 km/h tending south to southeasterly up to 30 km/h around midday.

Fire Danger - Low-Moderate

UV Alert from 9:00 am to 5:10 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]