I've made some.....ummm

supposed to be charges but I stuffed up somehow. I saved my template {check}, uploaded my new template {check}, lost all my things {check} - that's ok I'll just reload my old template and sort it out later, ummmm....no sorry, blogger doesn't want to do that and instead kept throwing me errors. Damn! Oh well, so I'm starting fresh. All my posts are still ok but all my side bar things are getting revamped - not by choice!

I like it (for now). I have spent the morning doing some major house work and now I'm going to park my bum at the computer while Zach and Anna sleep and Mitchell is at Preschool and make a few side bar headings and maybe even a new header - still trying to sort the size out for that one.

In other news, Anna is ok. Still not 100% but home and happy. She spent a few days on Prednisolone (a type of steroid) and has needed her Ventolin as well as being back on Flixotide (a preventer). She sounds like a freight train when she breaths but apparently that's just the congestion in her chest that (being a virus that you can't treat with antibiotics) will clear up in time. Anna also has her appointment next Thursday with an eye specialist in Canberra. Fingers crossed for that one!

Zach has an appointment for an xray for his hips this Thursday. He has migrating hips (the muscles on the inside of his thighs are so tight that they are pulling his hips out of there sockets. If not sorted he will require surgery) and he is just getting tighter so fingers crossed everything looks ok - still. He is seeing Dr Lowe in Sydney on March 13th.

Mitchell is not well, he has the same virus that the rest have but is handling it well and on the mend. Today he is at Preschool, he LOVES preschool!

Ashlee has registrations for Netball this afternoon in Bombala so we are off to that and I'll get some shopping in while we are there. She is pretty excited to be getting back into some sport again. She has been doing any since we left Bairnsdale.

Me, well my headaches - or migraines - have gone, YESSSSS! Dr thinks it was a combination of blocked sinuses and stress. I totally agree. I have caught up on some sleep and feel a little more normal now.

Right, times ticking by so I'm off - see you all later!

Sick...

Anna is sick, last night we had her rushed to hospital in an ambulance after she turned blue. Scary to say the least and the fact that our 'local' hospital was a 40 minute drive away!

Diagnosis: Severe Croup - oxygen sats ranging from 75% to 80%, struggling to breath, not eating or drinking.

She was put onto a neb and also given oxygen. Right now she is doing ok. I'll keep you updated...

Me: Awake since 5am yesterday until 11am today when I manage to get 2 hours sleep. So tired, haven't eaten but not hungry. Longing to curl up in bed. I've also had a migraine on and off for the past 6 days which doesn't help.....

Well....

....I made promises and haven't kept them. I'm soooo behind that its getting out of hand! I'm just feeling really blah. Not sick or sad or unhappy or anything like that just going insane living in this tiny house! 6 people have a lot of stuff - what I am saying, two 20 month old's have a lot of stuff, than when you add the other four people its mayhem! I've been trying to keep on track with 'Operation Organise' but I have seriously run out room. We have our house in Bairnsdale, Victoria forsale at the moment (well its actually been on the market for over 12 months!) and until that sells there is not much we can do. I want more room, I NEED more room! At least the dishes are done and the washing is up to date but we will not mention that I have 2 baskets of washing to fold and put away though.

I really meant to do a post yesterday (and the day before) but having no time to even get the photos off the camera to add to the post is making it a little hard. I don't really like posts with out photos. Today was meant to be 'catch up day' but that didn't happen. I got a few things done but then decided to sit down and scrap a page. I haven't scrapped in ages. The result? ......

{Credits to come}

Nothing fancy, just a quick one. Time I should have spent cleaning the bathroom or folding the washing but you know how it goes.

Tomorrow we are off to Bega for the annual show - meaning another day I will get nothing done. Should be nice to spend Valentines day as a family though.

This afternoon.....hanging out more washing, folding washing, dragging three filthy children through the bath and then there is dinner to prepare and also getting snacks and bags ready for tomorrow. I also need to clean some of the crap toys, etc out of the car and do a quick tidy up of the office (that the kids trashed - pencils and paper, chairs and stuff all over).

Hopefully Monday will be my day. Zach and Anna in Daycare for a few hours and Mitchell in Preschool all day should give me time to piece this house back together. Brett will be on day duty next week too which will mean I can get more done - do you get less done when the other half is around or is it just me?

So for a quick run down on what we have been up to.....

We baked!

Big ones....



and little ones.....



and some in between.

And they were yummy! At least Zach and Anna thought so...

I did get those drawers sorted...

And labeled too!



Zach got his new 'standing frame'

and at the moment is spending about 30 minutes a day in it, building it up until he can spend at least an hour.

He has also been spending some time outside with his trolley. Mosting in the evenings because it has been sooo hot!

And Mitchell, his usually amusing self....

Better run now, children running wild and in need of taming. See you all again soon!

Sorry All

My lovely sweet little baby girl decided to spend hours crying - poor baby :( - over what? I don't know Things came up. I didn't get time to blog but I did take a few snap shots - they will come.

I We did bake this afternoon though. Mitchell helped and Zach and Anna licked spoons, their favourite pass time at the moment. Rainbow cupcakes (50 of them!) for all!!!

Lastly please keep these families in your thoughts:

The Macs - who recently lost their 10(?) month old daughter, Cora to cancer.

The Whitt Family - Little 2 yr old Tuesday has gone to be with God after a battle with neuroblastoma.

Brook, Jake & Family - sadly their beautiful sweet twin girls, Sydney & Carynne were recently diagnosed with Werdnig-Hoffman Disease - Children rarely survive to age two with this form of the disease.

Lastly, please continue to pray for the victims of the Victoria Bush Fires. Also lets not forget those affected by the flooding in QLD.

Welcome Back!

Hello all. All that are still reading! Please excuse my little bloggy break. I really didn't mean to or want to, its all my internet providers fault. Due to a few problems I was unable to connect to my broadband and thanks to their totally incompetent sales/accounts people - who I might mention are not even in this country and who I can hardly understand! - I was unable to access it for quite a few weeks. To tell you I was angry would be an understatement!

Things are all back up and running now and I have so much to say but that is going to have to wait until this evening as I have a bit of a busy day today - a home, a life and 4 3 little ones and a big one there is so much to do, my washing never seems to end I tell you - along with the piles of dishes that seem to mount up every five seconds (I really really miss my dishwasher, I really really do!). Thanks to my non scheduled bloggy break I have been able to get a lot done. My 'Operation Organize' is still definitely running along smoothly and I have been able to get quite a few things crossed off my list - does this tell you I spend way to much time on the net, course not! So make sure you check back soon for some dates - Zach's progress, 'Operation Organise' update, sewing update, as well as digital scrap booking are just a few of the things I want to mention.

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Now, on to a sadder note. I'm sure many of you have heard or read about the terrible bushfire's happening in Victoria and NSW. My heart goes out to all the families that lost someone and to the families that have lost all there worldly possessions.

I can hardly believe that most of these fires have been deliberately lit! The Prime Minister said 'there are just no words to describe these people' but what I think he was thinking - these mass murderers are the scum of the earth! I certainly don't believe that 25 years in jail would go anywhere near what they deserve! Bastards!

We have some amazing people fighting these fires. I want to thank each and every one of them. They really are hero's and they are risking their lives to help others.

The look on his face says it all I think....

Please pray for those that are now homeless, those that are injured and of course for the friends and families of the 128 people (at last count) that have been killed.

Please donate what you can...(link above clickable)

Edit:

Firstly - Please keep Rachael in your prayers.

Mike's is welcoming handmade donations via the shop. Check out the info here.

Sarah from With A Cherry On Top and Bianca from The Toy Society are going to try to find an organisation who will take handmade toys to distribute to children who have lost everything in the bushfires. Rach from Grandy and Baa had the same idea too.

Sparkly Green Knickers is going to donate the proceeds from her Etsy Shop to the Bushfire Appeal...

Menu Plan Monday

Again...no day allocation. This my plan for the week.

Roast Lamb - with roasted vegetables (again, yum!)

BBQ Beef Stir-fry - with rice

(Leftover) Lamb & potato bake - with vegetables

Creamy Chicken Pasta - with salad

Steak casserole (again because it was quite hit!)

BBQ Lamb Chops - with vegetables

AND lastly, we will have take away one night because I can if I feel like it! hehehe!

Make sure you head over to The Organising Junkie for more menu plans!

Another day.....

Yesterday for those of you who are interested, I did the dishes, wiped down the bench, picked up a few toys that were laying around (you know because I had to do something...) and then parked my butt on the couch and watched LOST. It was great! When Zach and Anna woke up I felt quite refreshed. They had a play, then some dinner, then it was time to toddle (and crawl) their bare bums to the bath where they stayed until I got sick of it and got them out against their wishes. A bit more playing, a story, then off to bed. What a lovely afternoon/evening!

Today, much of the same. Mitchell has decided he wants to spend another night at Aunt Linda's, Brett's at work and ASHLEE'S HOME!! Mum is here as well for a few days which will be nice.

This morning I made a Vanilla Slice too! Yum indeed!

The power went out at about 5pm - it is so hot and we couldn't even have the air con on! So we sweated it out for a bit and I cheered when I heard the quiet were of the air con again. Anna cheered too. Quite funny really but I guess you had to be here. Now its time to go get dinner ready. We are having Ham and Cheese Chicken Rolls. Its making me hungry just thinking about it!

I will come back after the twins are in bed with the Vanilla Slice recipe. It is sooooo easy and sooooo delicious you have to try it. It only takes about 5 minutes to make!

WOW!

I'm sitting here not knowing what to do with myself.

The twins have decided to change their sleep from 11am to 1:30pm so they have just gone down and Mitch is spending the night at Auntie Linda's so he has just left with Brett who is working night shift this week! So from now until about 4:30pm its just me.......

I don't know whether to do some more sewing, maybe a bit knitting, some baking - no its to hot for that! - some more organising or housework or just curl up on the couch for a little while and watch a bit of LOST! What to do, what to do?! Well, I know what I really want to do.....but should I?!

Until I make up my mind here is some photo love for you....

All images from here

Etsy Love!

I [heart] this print

I [heart] this Zip Pouch

I [heart] this wall decal

I [heart] these washcloths

I [heart] this 'Heart'

And....

I [heart] this absolutely beautiful sunny weather today!

Eye Spy....Something I want to try in 2009!

Image from here
Image from here

In 2009 I want to try quilting. It is something I have never done before, but I think I may just start with a dolls quilt.....

'Thank you' to Cindy for your meme and
to Bek of Red Chocolate for the theme.

Not Me Monday!

Head on over to MckMama's blog for me Not Me Goodness!

This week there haven't been a whole lot of Not Me's (which I guess is a good thing!). I am having to really think to come up with something to put here, but I just need too.

It definitely wasn't me who curled up on the couch and snoozed yesterday while Brett and Mitchell were at the farm because what they don't know won't hurt them.

I don't know who hung Brett's work clothes on the line only to have them rained on and then hope that he could source something else to wear to work for the night because I was not running the dryer! That certainly was not me!

It is not me that has gotten the twins up again 1 1/2 hours after bed time because they refuse to give in and sleep. I wouldn't give in them.

And it is definitely Not Me that is sitting here eating a box of Kraft Crispy Potato in a Biskit instead of dinner because I just couldn't be bothered making up a meal for one. Thankfully it is Not Me who is on a diet!

Its Not Me who is going insane listening to the kids fight but it is me that is going to put them to bed again now!!

See you all next time!

Menu Plan Monday

This week I am not allocating days to my meals as I really just want to go with the flow - is that ok?! My meals this week all come from 4 Ingredients 2 and are all cheap and easy.

This week we will be having:

Shepherds Pie:

500g lean mince
1/2 cup fruit chutney
6 potatoes, boiled and mashed
3/4 cup grated cheese

Brown mince, season and mix thought chutney. Pour into casserole dish, top evenly with mashed potato and sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake at 180c for 20 - 30 minutes or until cheese is nice and bubbly. Serve with salad.

Cheese and Ham Chicken Rolls:

2 chicken breast fillets
2 pieces of Swiss Cheese (I'm just using tasty cheese here)
2 pieces sliced ham
1tbs wholegrain mustard

Flatten chicken breast before smearing with mustard. Lay a piece of cheese follwed by a peice of ham on each. Roll up and secure with toothpicks. Bake for 20 minutes at 180c or until brown and cooked through. Cut into rounds and serve. Serve with steamed vegetable.

BBQ Lamb Chops: - we just got half a lamb from the farm so must include lamb in the menu!

8 lamb chops
2tsp soy sauce
3tbs sweet chilli sauce

Mix soy and sweet chilli. Cook chops for 1 - 2 minutes on each side. Reduce heat and continue cooking for 2 - 3 minutes while brushing with baste. Cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with steamed vegetables.

Creamy Chicken Pasta:

4 chicken breasts
4 shallots, finely chopped
4 rashers bacon, chopped
200g button mushrooms, sliced
200g tub cream cheese, softened

Brown chicken and set aside. Combine shallots and bacon in large frying pan, stir until bacon is crisp. Add mushrooms, stir until softened. Add cream cheese and a third cup of boiling water, simmer until cheese is melted. Add chicken, stir through and simmer until chicken is cooked through. Serve with Pasta.
(We are not mushroom fans so I'm not sure if I will be adding those.)

Steak Casserole:

1kg round steak, cubed
500g bag of mixed frozen vegetables
2 cups V8 juice

Place steak and vegetables in casserole dish, pour in V8 juice, covering contents well. Bake at 180c for 1 1/2 hours or until meat is nice and tender. Serve over rice.

Lamb Roast: - again use the lamb from the farm.

Chicken Vol-au-vants:

4 large vol-au-vant shells
485g bottle Chicken Tonight, honey mustard
1 cup shredded cheese
2 double chicken breast, diced

Dice chicken and cook in pan till lightly browned. Turn down heat and add chicken tonight, stir to heat through. Place vol-au-vant shells on a lined baking tray and fill each with chicken mixture. Top with cheese and place in oven at 180c for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve with salad or vegetables.

Other things we will be baking this week:

Apple Slice

Choc-Caramel Ravioli

Lemonade Scones

Rainbow Cupcakes

Head over to Organising Junkie for more Menu Plan Monday!

There's more to the day

then just organising. So yesterday (and this morning) I took some time do some sewing and a bit of baking.

I've nearly completed the shirt I am sewing for Ashlee. Just down to sewing on the sleeves and a bit of hemming. I really hope it fits (it would be to large rather than to small) but more to the point I hope she likes it! Here is a peek....

Ashlee will be home on Wednesday!! Yippee!! (And I'm also looking forward to having Mum here for a few days) We have all missed her hugely here. Mitchell has even taken to sleeping with one of the teddies from her bed at night. He regularly asks when she will be home. Sweet.
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We have been doing a small amount of baking too, Mitchell and myself.

First we made some Yummy Apple Slice....

Image from here

Easy Apple Slice

340g pkt Vanilla Cake Mix
3/4 cup Melted Butter
400g Tin Pie Apple
200g Sour Cream
Cinnamon to taste

Preheat oven to 180c. Mix butter and cake mix to a dough. Spread evenly in a lined rectangular baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Combine apple and sour cream. Spread evenly over base, sprinkle over cinnamon and return to oven for another 15 minutes. Cool in fridge. Serve cold.

Divine!

(You how I got that great Cook Book for Christmas - this recipe is from there.)
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This morning we made Devil's Food Cake. A packet mix this time but equally divine!



At least Miss Anna thought so!


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On a side note.....see this...

Little Miss got her very first hair cut (thanks to me!). Her fringe was just annoying me hanging in her eyes, so off it came!

Children running riot so better go check it out. Monday Plan Monday up next!