Well, not really, more so pre-occupied.
I am letting you all know that this is the last blog I will post to facebook. I am limiting my online social networking because I feel it is taking over my life and I am not being the person to my children whom I want to be. I will still blog, but you will have to come back here to check it out (lisakccook.blogspot.com.au).
A friend recently mentioned she would like to see some pictures of where we live, and as we have driven around the past few weeks I have noticed our environment and how different it is from one step to the next. As much as we are 3hours from the coast, we are definately not in the desert. Our region is called the Central Highlands, but it is still remote compared to where we have lived in the past.
Sorry I have not got any pictures this time, but will get some for you all soon (when I find that elusive camera!).
To start to be a little descriptive, from our front balcony and directly to the right (we are on a corner house), we have a set of train tracks. They are behind a 6foot fence, and only run a block further north, past our house. These are the shunting yards where the broken wagons and loco's go awaiting to be repaired. The main track is across the highway 3 blocks south, we can see these from the corner of our yard, down the walkway beside the shunting yards. Almost directly opposite our house (but over the other side of the shunting yard) is a lovely little park and skate bowl. We do have to walk 2 blocks towards the highway to go around the shunting yard and cross at the crossing to get to the park. Across the crossing is also a small library (think the size of the average living room), and behind the library is the school (about 500m from our house).
Back on our front balcony, looking out over the houses we can see the tops of the tablelands, a lovely mountainous range with waterfalls and all. I love watching the rain clouds cover the mountains, They seem very close by from this view.
Had better go entertain some kids, till next time..........................
Cheerio!
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Monday, 4 June 2012
Restricted.
So.
Our monster puppy.
He pulls the laundry off the line, chews on anything he can get in his mouth, so much so that he is usually seen with something hanging out of his mouth (typical toddler).
A few weeks ago I purchased dog coats online. A decision I did not take lightly, but felt our older dog needed something to keep him warm living here (it is a tad bit cooler than where we used to live). Not a cheap item to buy, I did my research and found the best one for our dogs.
They got delivered, the kids thought they were great and couldn't wait to put them on their pooches! That evening we set about to do just that. The dogs were a little excited at the extra attention, but did not really get what was going on. Everything fit just perfect so off we went for the night.
Night three, the dogs knew they had a good thing going with these coats, so were happy to let us put them on, and it was an easier process this time. When I got up in the morning, the older dogs clip had broken off the strap.
I was going to deal with it later.
Until I got told I should check out what Rusty (our monster puppy) was doing.
OMG.
I was furious.
How much more trouble could this puppy be, seriously?
He had literally taken the coat of the older dogs back and torn it up.
After calming down, and telling Little Miss 3 her dog could not wear his coat that night, or any other until we have a solution, I stewed over what to do.
In the pet shop the other day buying more dog food, I contemplated the different dog coats (it is still cold and getting colder, apparently). There were none which impressed me enough to be Rusty proof. Feeling disappointed, I amazingly had an idea - a muzzle! I know it sounds a little mean, but it seriously works. We only put it on at night (and then the coats), but he has accepted that this is what needs to be done (for now).
And the bonus part?
I can leave my laundry hanging on the line overnight again :-)
Our monster puppy.
He pulls the laundry off the line, chews on anything he can get in his mouth, so much so that he is usually seen with something hanging out of his mouth (typical toddler).
A few weeks ago I purchased dog coats online. A decision I did not take lightly, but felt our older dog needed something to keep him warm living here (it is a tad bit cooler than where we used to live). Not a cheap item to buy, I did my research and found the best one for our dogs.
They got delivered, the kids thought they were great and couldn't wait to put them on their pooches! That evening we set about to do just that. The dogs were a little excited at the extra attention, but did not really get what was going on. Everything fit just perfect so off we went for the night.
Night three, the dogs knew they had a good thing going with these coats, so were happy to let us put them on, and it was an easier process this time. When I got up in the morning, the older dogs clip had broken off the strap.
I was going to deal with it later.
Until I got told I should check out what Rusty (our monster puppy) was doing.
OMG.
I was furious.
How much more trouble could this puppy be, seriously?
He had literally taken the coat of the older dogs back and torn it up.
After calming down, and telling Little Miss 3 her dog could not wear his coat that night, or any other until we have a solution, I stewed over what to do.
In the pet shop the other day buying more dog food, I contemplated the different dog coats (it is still cold and getting colder, apparently). There were none which impressed me enough to be Rusty proof. Feeling disappointed, I amazingly had an idea - a muzzle! I know it sounds a little mean, but it seriously works. We only put it on at night (and then the coats), but he has accepted that this is what needs to be done (for now).
And the bonus part?
I can leave my laundry hanging on the line overnight again :-)
A windy day.
Today was Master 5's first school sports carnival. An exciting day filled with anticipation of what was going to happen next.
It was the perfect day, a nice sunny morning with little cloud cover, the house was warm so we dressed appropriately for the upcoming day and off we went.
I had packed a small picnic and our drink bottles. We had a blanket in the pram (we walk most places around town, cause it is so easily located). We got to school as the kids were warming up, and everything was starting to happen. Little Miss 3 did not get out of the pram initially, her little legs were purple due to the cold breeze, so I went back home to get her some pants and a jacket. All was good and she began to enjoy herself.
A quick lunch visit from our friend and her kids, a bit of cheering along, and Little Miss 3 plodded off home with them, leaving me to cheer on the kids alone.
Master 5 was a little unsure as to what was going on, he knew it was sports day, but this was his school and I am sure he was thinking he should be in class learning something!
First activity was shot put, followed by long jump, then high jump and a sprint. He placed 3rd in each event except high jump, and was very proud of his efforts.
There were points in the day we were sitting around waiting for the next activity, and Master 5 kept asking to go home, but we perservered and saw the day out.
It was a little windy, but a nice day. I am currently feeling a little wind burnt, and think it is time for a bath before I cook dinner, and a moisturising face mask too!
It was the perfect day, a nice sunny morning with little cloud cover, the house was warm so we dressed appropriately for the upcoming day and off we went.
I had packed a small picnic and our drink bottles. We had a blanket in the pram (we walk most places around town, cause it is so easily located). We got to school as the kids were warming up, and everything was starting to happen. Little Miss 3 did not get out of the pram initially, her little legs were purple due to the cold breeze, so I went back home to get her some pants and a jacket. All was good and she began to enjoy herself.
A quick lunch visit from our friend and her kids, a bit of cheering along, and Little Miss 3 plodded off home with them, leaving me to cheer on the kids alone.
Master 5 was a little unsure as to what was going on, he knew it was sports day, but this was his school and I am sure he was thinking he should be in class learning something!
First activity was shot put, followed by long jump, then high jump and a sprint. He placed 3rd in each event except high jump, and was very proud of his efforts.
There were points in the day we were sitting around waiting for the next activity, and Master 5 kept asking to go home, but we perservered and saw the day out.
It was a little windy, but a nice day. I am currently feeling a little wind burnt, and think it is time for a bath before I cook dinner, and a moisturising face mask too!
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Sharing the love.
We not long got home from morning tea in town with our little Family, and the boy across the road came over for a play.
I love that we are finally in a place where the kids can have friends over, without the parents having to stress about weekend cleaning cause we are working all week (forget that my DH works shift).
It warms my heart to hear my children playing and entertaining their friends when they come over. I love listening to their childhood conversations, they are so innocent and truthful with each other.
Well, that is all I have to say for now, just sharing the love!
I love that we are finally in a place where the kids can have friends over, without the parents having to stress about weekend cleaning cause we are working all week (forget that my DH works shift).
It warms my heart to hear my children playing and entertaining their friends when they come over. I love listening to their childhood conversations, they are so innocent and truthful with each other.
Well, that is all I have to say for now, just sharing the love!
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Little Miss 3
When Master 5 was only 2, and Little Miss 3 was a wee little baby, I made a book for my little man all about him. Nothing fancy, I just got on a printable website and the book format was already there, all I had to do was insert some individual text and voila, a book was made. It was only printed on basic paper and not contacted or anything so it is looking a little sad.
It has to be a favourite book of both my children at the moment, and as such I have been promising Little Miss 3 I would make her one also. So, tonight I have re-discovered that particular website, and am currently printing out the makings of her personalised story. I need to print out pictures also (lucky I bought ink today), to cover the generic pictures which the story comes with.
I know she will be proud as punch in the morning and can't wait to show her.
Now, I know it seems everything is about my little princess of late, but as I explained to Master 5 just a few days ago, he had his turn about everything when he was little. He understands, but is a little apprehensive to accept the facts, so we will just have to deal with the reassurrance that both our children are loved equally.
Ciao!
It has to be a favourite book of both my children at the moment, and as such I have been promising Little Miss 3 I would make her one also. So, tonight I have re-discovered that particular website, and am currently printing out the makings of her personalised story. I need to print out pictures also (lucky I bought ink today), to cover the generic pictures which the story comes with.
I know she will be proud as punch in the morning and can't wait to show her.
Now, I know it seems everything is about my little princess of late, but as I explained to Master 5 just a few days ago, he had his turn about everything when he was little. He understands, but is a little apprehensive to accept the facts, so we will just have to deal with the reassurrance that both our children are loved equally.
Ciao!
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Making Music
Little Miss 3's favourite day of the week. Today is music makers, a class where she gets to be loud, play with different kids, lots of different instruments and have heaps of fun! She absolutely loves it, and it has everything to do with her fantastically motivated, totally enthusiastic teacher! She does a great job getting everyone involved, while incidentally teaching the kids about musical terms and introducing them to things they might not see for many years like a violin, using a microphone, and did I mention it is so much fun? It is hard not to join in!
I am so glad I have the opportunity to expose my daughter to these things.
On another note, it was so hard to get Master 5 ready for school today cause all he wanted to do was come to Music makers, even though he has never been before, he just knows he is missing out on something special.
I am so glad I have the opportunity to expose my daughter to these things.
On another note, it was so hard to get Master 5 ready for school today cause all he wanted to do was come to Music makers, even though he has never been before, he just knows he is missing out on something special.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
What a month!
Wow, I have not done a blog for just over a month, sorry!
It has not been deliberate, just a series of unexpected events.
Firstly, we have a car! And what a story that was (lol).
Ok, after having no car for about 6 weeks, we finally got our new car at the beginning of the month, and so began my busy month. We were hoping the new car would be ready on the tuesday, and I would go get it from Brisbane, but it was not ready until the friday, so we went and got it and travelled straight out west for a family members' 50th birthday. During the weekend our 2day old car sustained a windscreen chip and our 2day old car hit a kangaroo! Wow, what an experience, now the kids call all dead roos on the road mine (how special!).
The following weekend we were supposed to go to the farm to begin the final chapter of Sausage (our ex-pig), but my DH had other plans! A concussion at football saw me picking him up from hospital on Mothers Day Morning, vetoing our trip away. Sausage lives another day (for the minute).
This weekend saw us at the farm finalising the chapter of Sausage, and the kids handled the death of their pig rather well. They began by petting it and saying 'I Love You Sausage' and half an hour later she was strung up and headless (the kids did not witness this process though). Little Miss 3 would not go near the strung carcass, but we got a great shot of Master 5.
It has not been deliberate, just a series of unexpected events.
Firstly, we have a car! And what a story that was (lol).
Ok, after having no car for about 6 weeks, we finally got our new car at the beginning of the month, and so began my busy month. We were hoping the new car would be ready on the tuesday, and I would go get it from Brisbane, but it was not ready until the friday, so we went and got it and travelled straight out west for a family members' 50th birthday. During the weekend our 2day old car sustained a windscreen chip and our 2day old car hit a kangaroo! Wow, what an experience, now the kids call all dead roos on the road mine (how special!).
The following weekend we were supposed to go to the farm to begin the final chapter of Sausage (our ex-pig), but my DH had other plans! A concussion at football saw me picking him up from hospital on Mothers Day Morning, vetoing our trip away. Sausage lives another day (for the minute).
This weekend saw us at the farm finalising the chapter of Sausage, and the kids handled the death of their pig rather well. They began by petting it and saying 'I Love You Sausage' and half an hour later she was strung up and headless (the kids did not witness this process though). Little Miss 3 would not go near the strung carcass, but we got a great shot of Master 5.
I scored a Thermomix this month (Yay!), so monday was spent mincing Sausage and packaging all the extras like ribs, medallions etc into the freezer. Sausage's second last chapter will come when she gets turned into sausage, and the final chapter will be when my husband enjoys eating the sausage.
I cooked up some of the ribs for lunch today, and my girl kept telling everyone her Dad was eating Sausage, the other kids were not impressed when they could not see a sausage though!
So, on top of freezing Sausage, I began caring for a friends children on monday, as her maternity leave has expired and she unfortunately had to go back to work. Alas, I get a baby around the house to cuddle and make giggle, and my Little Miss 3 has a friend over to run amok with! I am not used to such a busy house anymore, so I think I will need an early night tonight.
It has become overcast here again, and getting cool. So I need to get off my butt and do some laundry while I can!
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