tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90617580199094348642024-03-14T03:04:07.836+11:00Under The TreeMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-45668042001860128792009-06-14T17:02:00.002+10:002009-06-14T17:06:34.880+10:00It's been a while...I find it so hard to keep up with the internet world these days. Not sure who reads my blog or not, sometimes I think to myself why bother even updating it when it stands dormant in cyberspace and nobody really bothers to read. But every now and then I like to go back and read what I've written.<br /><br />So I'm back at work full time. The days just go by in a haze now, sometimes I find I'm on autopilot. Hence my sabbatical from the blogworld. Once I get the chance I will update more often about my days as a full time working mum of 2 kids. It just seems so crazy now!Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-12446332427168333752009-05-10T16:55:00.003+10:002009-05-10T17:02:19.289+10:00Happy Mummy's Day!I hope all the mummies and mummies-to-be had a lovely day today. I sure did - in a lovely chillin' quiet low key way. I had a sleep in this morning, then we all went out for a lovely breakfast (well after the girls had their brekky at home first...there's no way they will wait!) Then we had to take Trixie to the vet for a little wound she has on her chin...she's ok, it's nothing that won't be fixed with some anti b's and some anti-inflammatories.<br /><br />Now we're just about to go over to my mum's place for a lovely dinner.<br /><br />Here's a happy snap taken from today. As you can see my quest for getting a shot of me and my girls is quiet a difficult one indeed!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSIhjs3EAjNmwraDjXX3mLQrttZPMy8i6fOq3av6szagnKgxA3a-cOzMAfwO_aQPdzMcVXZy9O28EtRRwolht9HXtxo9oKKQf77MKyNL0FyFYQo_ySYeY3TEEkD0hWcIg5rwKv3jBAvTJ/s1600-h/IMG_3727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSIhjs3EAjNmwraDjXX3mLQrttZPMy8i6fOq3av6szagnKgxA3a-cOzMAfwO_aQPdzMcVXZy9O28EtRRwolht9HXtxo9oKKQf77MKyNL0FyFYQo_ySYeY3TEEkD0hWcIg5rwKv3jBAvTJ/s320/IMG_3727.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334086907515620434" /></a>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-15377010964940952522009-05-09T20:46:00.019+10:002009-05-09T21:55:43.817+10:00Loving this song right nowI'm a HUGE Rob Thomas fan. Huge. I loved his work in Matchbox Twenty, but now that he's gone solo I love his stuff even more. He just keeps getting better and better. There's his new one that has just been released "Her Diamonds". Now when I first heard it I thought, yeah that's quite a nice song. Then tonight I heard a snippet of an interview he had with a radio dj about that particular song. He actually wrote it a while ago for his wife, who has an Autoimmune disorder. She was going through a pretty rough debilitating day so he turned to music to express how he felt since he felt so helpless. Well now the song has so much more meaning every time I hear it. I didn't think of the personal melancholy behind it before I knew what it was about. Now I can't help but think about the meaning, and those who have to endure pain constantly.<br /><br />Here's the song for those that want to listen to it. The film clip hasn't been released yet so I can't find a proper youtube video. But I have found this application - just go to the song in the list, then click on "Song Player" to play it. You can also view the lyrics by clicking on the Lyrics tab.<br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.musicxray.net/javascripts/crosssite.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br /> Musicxray.id=1569;<br /> Musicxray.height = 5000;<br /> Musicxray.bgcolor = "none";<br /> Musicxray.showmenu = "true";<br /></script><br /><script src="http://www.musicxray.net/javascripts/musicxray.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-38566109782278014172009-04-27T13:58:00.007+10:002009-04-27T15:05:03.506+10:00What's for dinner?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoZopDDgoCjkUNkU3aIqqcGFw6qKhfEze56Z4Iy_5RVPxlimb7VD_XUb1eOg4QpBBsvjQfp-x-Dx-IkTEo1rs6E3TRtRGDOMhlQSSG281UL_6o9jJT78MlRNqPzFxWer2R27Vxt1HFSOD/s1600-h/housewife+cooking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoZopDDgoCjkUNkU3aIqqcGFw6qKhfEze56Z4Iy_5RVPxlimb7VD_XUb1eOg4QpBBsvjQfp-x-Dx-IkTEo1rs6E3TRtRGDOMhlQSSG281UL_6o9jJT78MlRNqPzFxWer2R27Vxt1HFSOD/s320/housewife+cooking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329217636076129986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Image courtesy of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25152449@N06/3030130503/">Flickr</a><br /><br /></span></div>This is the question I hear at least once a day? It usually comes from the husband. I can admit that I'm not your usual domestic goddess. Far from it! I see cooking as a means to feed yourself and the family, and provide a nutritious meal at that. I'm just lucky that the family enjoys what I make. Not that there's any complexity in the meals that I make - let's just say I tend to cook on the safe side - steak, mash and veges, chicken cordonbleu (whipped in the oven, ready in 30mins), roast chicken with veges, etc. Steamed veges are a staple, and thank goodness the girls love them and the husband has no choice but to eat "those green things" on his plate. Meh, he's used to it now.<br /><br />On the odd occasion I do like to be a bit adventurous and will try a new recipe, usually from a food magazine. Those pictures always get to me. Somehow what I cook never end up looking like how it looks in the magazine but as long as it edible, right? But no matter how much meticulous measuring and love I put into my cooking adventures I find my youngest always sticks her nose up. "Give me your chicken and veges any day over this nonsense" I hear her say from the expression on her face. My eldest would look at the food on her plate and asking "What <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> this, Mummy?" I then respond with the name of the dish for which I hear "I don't like it, I want bread/chocolate/ice cream". Hmmm, well I do try.<br /><br />I sometimes wish I was like my mum. She is the best cook after all! She will happily be in the kitchen for a whole day cooking up a storm. It's obvious she was born with cooking flare - heck that's what she now does for a living. However in her housewife days she spent all day at home with us kids where she cooked and cooked and cooked, like any Greek mum would. And fed and fed and fed, like any Greek mum did. Made sure that all her kids were well nourished with her lovely Greek comfort food, made sure dinner was cooked and ready well before dad walked through the door from work. How times have changed!<br /><br />Well I just realised there is NOTHING in the freezer or fridge for dinner tonight. Eek! The shame! Just wondering what will be sufficient for 2 hungry little mouths and a famished husband tired from the work and gym. Tonight it will be Chicken Rissoles with mash and gravy and of course steamed veges. And old favourite in this house! And lovely for this cold snappy weather. Ah ok, done! Decision made :)<br /><br />So, what's for dinner at your place tonight?Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-91239408263559658842009-04-26T14:59:00.006+10:002009-04-26T15:27:16.968+10:00Sleep is for the faint heartedI'm sitting here listening to my 18 month old laughing, playing, and talking to herself in her cot. She's supposed to be having her mid afternoon sleep. Ha! I don't think it sounds like she's going to go to sleep anytime soon. Her sleep has been a bit on the erratic side the past week, she hasn't been 100%, poor little chicken. Unlike Eva though, she has never been a very good sleeper...she loves to wake me up at night too!<br /><br />So I decide to take a break and see what she's up to with all the noises I can hear and this is a series of what I see...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHAOoPeLJG_eNjF2WsrtP5iS9uN5E9u0Fo2PJDTq6dTuJTbhtc5HaZyRWoEJnsQ58KQkeyioHSY2Bp35zLelfgxSS27xDLLKE5j-sQTzxB80QUQP4uGjUVG0hkmwT60PJr_ljoxcxOQn5/s1600-h/IMG_3614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHAOoPeLJG_eNjF2WsrtP5iS9uN5E9u0Fo2PJDTq6dTuJTbhtc5HaZyRWoEJnsQ58KQkeyioHSY2Bp35zLelfgxSS27xDLLKE5j-sQTzxB80QUQP4uGjUVG0hkmwT60PJr_ljoxcxOQn5/s320/IMG_3614.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328865244365849250" /></a><br />Then when I try telling her she has to have a sleep:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lbd0MR1R47NAyP_dWq5mOsDN_ykbZqGJc_F8OI3KiQQhH909-183gsnj2IyPK-GgJQSQFFkeY9Swlu4oeeR-lB0GY9oC6hgr3YL2zNTWXzrnKOL8zS66x88v8vB1MtU1FsVgoNUAr26t/s1600-h/IMG_3611.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lbd0MR1R47NAyP_dWq5mOsDN_ykbZqGJc_F8OI3KiQQhH909-183gsnj2IyPK-GgJQSQFFkeY9Swlu4oeeR-lB0GY9oC6hgr3YL2zNTWXzrnKOL8zS66x88v8vB1MtU1FsVgoNUAr26t/s320/IMG_3611.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328865936294532306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNNHcTusX8IhVYQYXhePfVjUJxy27zBPAQcexUhmQwIM9Jy2vsQz4LztkyjlJ8VGPv9aY0IxTpoGp0KqLVT3MTCdHytNY-WnW2YrayQjlO2oTVn5RZJeJNlDlBlvihy_fI69uaTn820vx/s1600-h/IMG_3616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNNHcTusX8IhVYQYXhePfVjUJxy27zBPAQcexUhmQwIM9Jy2vsQz4LztkyjlJ8VGPv9aY0IxTpoGp0KqLVT3MTCdHytNY-WnW2YrayQjlO2oTVn5RZJeJNlDlBlvihy_fI69uaTn820vx/s320/IMG_3616.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328865940327234530" /></a><br /><br />Then when I leave the room this is what happens next...so mean mummy decided to take another photo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7b5kdVTN3ClJfbOB9MN60pvwk4qlORd2aqLHZKCgX01Yhs5j3TexCfjT4uasXLZzBuuU6R1xML-Qhqp90wUrIxT-TpmY_iJPpI8z1Oox9Q9Fkm9mSAmHpvVEICOR88rtK38pjyrLM2b-/s1600-h/IMG_3628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7b5kdVTN3ClJfbOB9MN60pvwk4qlORd2aqLHZKCgX01Yhs5j3TexCfjT4uasXLZzBuuU6R1xML-Qhqp90wUrIxT-TpmY_iJPpI8z1Oox9Q9Fkm9mSAmHpvVEICOR88rtK38pjyrLM2b-/s320/IMG_3628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328866611070134594" /></a><br />Now it's probably just a matter of time to see who wins - mummy or Miss A. It's getting a bit late in the afternoon for a sleep now so it's looking like I'm going to lose this one lol!Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-79702518779527548552009-04-25T00:36:00.003+10:002009-04-25T00:44:48.096+10:00I'm back!Yes! I have done a "refurb" of my blog! Do you like it?<br /><br />After a bit of a break I'm glad to say I'm back, back in the blogging world, yippee!<br /><br />Ok, so it's all very beta at the moment but I'm getting there slowly. No the links don't work. I'm not sure if I'll keep them or remove them, I do love to hoard things so they might just stay dormant indefinitely, who knows!<br /><br />I have lots to catch up on, lots to post, lots to say and still so much to work on here. But in any case, I'm back! Did you miss me?Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-46254607684872712802009-02-15T01:14:00.000+11:002009-02-24T09:05:24.323+11:00Happy Valentines Day!I thought I would post this as it's so cute! It's from an advertisement but I don't care<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/T4fIHzX6Yh0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/T4fIHzX6Yh0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4fIHzX6Yh0"></a></span><br /><br />Hubby did try and book us in for dinner tonight but the restaurant of choice was booked out. To be honest I prefer their alacarte menu than their set one, which is what they had tonight for Valentines Day. As it turns out, I'm glad we didn't end up going tonight, the weather has been freezing, and there were too many things to do tonight anyway. We did get each other beautiful cards which was nice though!<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4fIHzX6Yh0"></a><br />Well we now have a new natural internal water feature in our lounge room, complete with buckets and towels and a lovely <span style="font-style: italic;">drip.drip.drip.</span> sound! When I get the chance I will put a picture up. We've had to reconfigure the lounge area because the water was dripping on the couch and ruining it, not to mention it would be a bit awkward trying to watch telly with water dripping on your head! It's been raining non stop the past few days, this weather is really driving me crazy with its 15 degree temperature differences!<br /><br />Secondly, in preparation for tomorrow, I've been baking all day today, with no success unfortunately. For some reason the cake never eventuated... it never got to decorating stage. I simply cannot believe it, bloody packet cake mix and everything! It's never ever been a problem for me, ever! So I don't understand why now? First attempt, the cake was not high enough. Second attempt saw the cake erupting like a volcano in my oven so had to clean that out too, what an <span style="font-style: italic;">absolute </span>mess! Third attempt it stuck to the cake tin. I was going to go again but thought someone must be trying to tell me something and gave up. And it was supposed to be a simple, yet elegant christening cake. I had most of the decorations ready to go once the cake was made and refridgerated overnight, very very simple design. But nup, there will be no white christening cake now. To say I'm extremely disappointed is an understatement :(<br /><br />So now we go onto Plan B. I'm not going to say much at this stage I'm just hoping it works. It's not ideal but seeing that the ceremony is in aaproximately 9 hours time it's just going to have to do. I'll be sure to post some pictures anyway.<br /><br />I must say though I'm very excited at the thought of seeing Alyssa in the christening gown. I just hope everything else goes according to plan despite the wet weather forecast... xoMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-56344941608758541382009-02-11T23:56:00.000+11:002009-02-12T22:41:05.180+11:00BlogspottingI have been tagged by the lovely Jaime from <a href="http://shewillhave.blogspot.com">She Will Have Her Way</a> in a little bit of fun, showing your little corner of your blog space.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtUYtudFJVCkmloHwisPXWj12o8nX9N6281VR543PqtLLlsS4dZAKtfskYPSuKBbOMrznYaGKVn3eK1V9iQRnfqXw-Yi12xipI878f_0R2uXaPuNH7Y4MQ011auAyPjjsXHvB4Jnb3K3I/s1600-h/IMG_1965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtUYtudFJVCkmloHwisPXWj12o8nX9N6281VR543PqtLLlsS4dZAKtfskYPSuKBbOMrznYaGKVn3eK1V9iQRnfqXw-Yi12xipI878f_0R2uXaPuNH7Y4MQ011auAyPjjsXHvB4Jnb3K3I/s320/IMG_1965.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301534214924131090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL33xUQtYNdTJ19WVCvqTsbIbJt4TScZbotBLLF7QTCwkWhWHyijNMoZJJlwDIoH4wIKoZ46L3IeYhVTuCEpqmG8iCMSCGuBqRlnKPkwHxWl3stmo6c4MJPHnZXU2_hLPpno3SC_HqqPf/s1600-h/IMG_1966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL33xUQtYNdTJ19WVCvqTsbIbJt4TScZbotBLLF7QTCwkWhWHyijNMoZJJlwDIoH4wIKoZ46L3IeYhVTuCEpqmG8iCMSCGuBqRlnKPkwHxWl3stmo6c4MJPHnZXU2_hLPpno3SC_HqqPf/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301534208800291522" /></a><br />Here is my blogging space. It's in my side of the study, the other side being hubby's section. We have 2 desks, adjoined by the printer. Yes, my side is messy messy messy! For some reason, no matter how clean and tidy I try and keep it, it always ends up looking like a bomb hit it! It's probably because I pay all the bills then leave them on my desk to file away. Sometimes my desk also becomes a dumping ground for various other random bits of paper. At the moment I'm borrowing my hubby's work laptop when he's not using it as my beloved lappie is getting her dvd-rom repaired...poor thing :(<br /><br />I have a few photos of my babies. The large one is Alyssa when she was 3 weeks old and one of my all time favourites, taken by the wonderful and talented Lee from <a href="http://krispphotography.blogspot.com/">Krisp Photography</a>. This photo and frame was actually a beautiful and generous gift from her. The other picture is of Eva at around 4 months and inset within the picture frame is Eva with her bestie at daycare.<br /><br />Over to the far left I have a little drawer thingy that I was meant to use to file stuff for myself but instead it's just something to keep more bits and pieces in, some important, some not. And over to the far right are all my magazines, a box full and then some, spilling over everywhere because I can't stop buying them. Each month I feel compelled to buy a new magazine, even though I know it'll have the same stuff as it had the previous month. Then underneath my desk is our sick plasma which we decided not to repair. It's very annoying being right under my feet though!<br /><br />So there you have it! Thank you for visiting my blogspot for a day!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">So here are the official rules: Show Us Your Blog Spot!</span><br />1. Once you are tagged, post a picture of where you blog.<br />2. Feel free to tell us a little about your space, or explain certain items in more detail. Or not.<br />3. Link back to this <a href="http://daddylikey.blogspot.com/2009/02/show-me-your-blog-spot.html">post</a>. (I want to see how far this goes!)<br />4. Tag five other bloggers to show their blog spots.<br />5. If you are tagged and do not participate, you will become allergic to cabbage.<br /><br />I have decided to tag:<br /><br /><a href="http://morethanmum.blogspot.com/">More Than Mum</a><br /><br /><a href="http://shootthebreezewithme.blogspot.com/">Shooting The Breeze</a><br /><br /><a href="http://sewitsarah.blogspot.com/">Sew It Sarah</a><br /><br /><a href="http://sometimesithink.squarespace.com/journal/">Sometimes I Think</a><br /><br /><a href="http://ginchyworld.typepad.com/making_albuqueque/">Making Albuqueque</a>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-84548392141336161502009-02-05T22:32:00.000+11:002009-02-05T23:02:11.236+11:00GratefulThis morning I noticed one of my Facebook friend's update. It prompted me to follow up what it all meant which lead me to this <a href="http://sheyerosemeyerphotography.com/blog/">site</a>. It's a blog of a woman who's a photographer, who lost her daughter <a href="http://www.avarosemeyer.memory-of.com/About.aspx">Ava</a> in tragic circumstances. I remember reading about this a while ago, but my heart felt heavy reading it again, and the amount of grief the family is still going through, particularly her mummy. Today was the 2nd anniversary of her death. I thought about Ava all day today, and thought of her mum too, hoping she gets through today ok. Then when I picked Eva up from daycare this afternoon I think I must have cuddled her a gazillion times tonight, played with and combed her beautiful hair, and just held her. I really didn't want to let go of her.<br /><br />I would move the world for her...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXht4AkN5ivAFdmXl2rISzpl2CjzH-ziRGoC9RNI_fTGjApX7Ncz2PMQoA1V6_wl6agXfOdbQlUwVYVxvx-BGPBx05dFY81dtPT08Jr0fmJVsjwnlrDoC2OawlYmGVK5a8fHhyphenhyphenYUOCxpRd/s1600-h/IMG_1134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXht4AkN5ivAFdmXl2rISzpl2CjzH-ziRGoC9RNI_fTGjApX7Ncz2PMQoA1V6_wl6agXfOdbQlUwVYVxvx-BGPBx05dFY81dtPT08Jr0fmJVsjwnlrDoC2OawlYmGVK5a8fHhyphenhyphenYUOCxpRd/s320/IMG_1134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299281146905207282" /></a><br />In the grand scheme of things, nothing else matters more than my 2 beautiful girls.<br /><br />My thoughts go out to Sheye and her Super Princess Ava.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-83740862150638514872009-02-03T14:38:00.001+11:002009-04-25T00:36:33.390+10:00WASP!I've just spent the last half hour cowering in terror after a black wasp entered the house. I was actually on the phone to the builder when it flew in, and the builder thought I saw a mouse or something from my screams!<br /><br />Armed with the insect spray and fly swatter, I sprayed a couple times, called the husband (not that he could do anything from the office, but still, I needed some reassurance), told the neighbour when she saw me armed with my insectory(is that even a word? lol) weapons and kept spraying until it went away.<br /><br />Unfortunately we get lots of wasps in this area. Lots of different scary looking wasps, and sometimes they fly into the house. I just hate them. I hate anything that stings and you'll hear me scream and run for miles if there's any stinging insect within a few metres of me!<br /><br />It's gone now, phew! I've got all the doors closed and air con on so there's no more uninvited guests. Even my neighbour's husband came around to see if I was ok and if he could help ward off the little critter. He wasn't sure what he could have done but he showed up to make sure all was ok. How nice of him!<br /><br />Anyways, I'm off to pick up my youngest from daycare. Poor thing has the runs. One of the bugs going around the centre at the moment :(<br /><br />Laters...xoMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-22166947505574235892009-02-01T14:26:00.001+11:002009-02-01T20:22:56.222+11:00Pinch and a punch for the first day of the month!Did you used to do this with your school friends? I used to. I think perhaps that's why I wasn't overly popular at school was because I used to go around pinching and punching everyone's shoulders in my class every 30 days or so.<br /><br />I only just noticed it's the 1st of February today. The first day of the shortest month of the year. I'm wondering what will be achieved. We have lots going on:<br /><ul><li>Alyssa's christening</li><li>Hubby's birthday</li></ul>Um, ok so not that much. Not sure why I started a bullet list actually but it's a good break up from the paragraphs I suppose lol! For some reason, in my mind, it feels like it's going to be a busy time of the year. I guess I'll still be job hunting. I'm coming into my third month now.<br /><br />That's probably what happens when you're unemployed you lose track of dates, days, time in general slows...right...down. I've found that to be my case.<br /><br />I didn't make any new years resolutions...I don't actually believe in them. But one of my intentions for the new year was to start doing more exercise and eating well.<br /><br />Well January has passed and it's February now. It's not really the new year, but before it becomes March, April, May I should really do something about my (new year) intentions, huh?<br /><br />So, I raise my chocolate to the first of the month! And the start of my health kick tomorrow ;-PMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-53088312462789393132009-01-31T20:56:00.000+11:002009-01-31T22:30:33.239+11:00"I'll start on Monday"Going grocery shopping tonight I had good intentions of having only healthy food items in my trolley. All was going well until I went into the confectionery aisle...to get hubby's Rum and Raisin Chocolate of course! Then what do I see right at eye level? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cadbury's</span> Family Block on special. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hmmm</span>, how can I resist? So I put one in my trolley and continue shopping. with thoughts running through my head "last chocolate ever so I guess I should enjoy it".<br /><br />Then I go past the freezers where the ice creams are. Drumsticks on special too! Wow, this is my lucky day! Seeing as it's been so damn hot lately, a Drumstick would go down very well indeed. So I grab it and put the box in my trolley too thinking to myself "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ok</span>, last Drumstick enjoyment ever!"<br /><br />Why is it the mentality of the diet is to start on Mondays? Why are the weekends so fuelled with gluttony only to wipe the slate clean come Monday? That's if it does happen on Monday and I don't say "I'll start next Monday".<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />Just to add a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">disclaimer</span> that I did actually buy other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">necessities</span> on my original shopping list!Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-56466074960674968612009-01-31T15:12:00.000+11:002009-01-31T15:34:54.835+11:00My trusty friend, the laptopThe other night I went to put a DVD into my laptop and found the tray wouldn't open. I rebooted the machine about 5 times with no luck. Hubby had a look at it and declared he couldn't fix it. I called the warranty company and put in a claim to get it fixed.<br /><br />So the courier company is going to take my lappie away from me so he can get fixed. They called me last night to book it in to be picked up. I tried to put the date back as far as I could but Tuesday would have to be the day. It's going to take 5-10 working days to fix so I'll be without my own laptop for that long. How the hell am I going to cope without a laptop? I will probably go out of my mind! Tis sad I know, but I love my laptop. I love going through all my photos whenever I want, I love the internet in general, yes I'm addicted.<br /><br />Now I have to clean up all my personal data on my hard drive, including photos. It's going to take ages! There are literally several gigabytes worth of stuff on here, if not more. All have to be transferred to the external hard drive. And at hubby's advice, it's not just delete from my computer and they're gone, but I have to Erase after deleting so there's no trace of anything for hackers to find...yes that's my hubby, Mr Paranoid. (If anyone would like to know more about this Erase program, please let me know)<br /><br />Everyone finds him funny, he has these quirks. Anyone who knows him laughs at his eccentricities, he's a safe man, he makes the house a Fort Knox! I guess you can't be too safe these days :)<br /><br />But back to my laptop, I'm going to miss it terribly. I might just try and sneak onto hubby's machine in its absence. Ten days is a long time without my trusty friend, how will I make the time pass? I guess I'm going to have to make some conversation with the husband at night, maybe go rent a few movies or something. Gosh, I'm at a loss as to what I'm going to do!Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-63595914112098955452009-01-30T17:51:00.000+11:002009-01-30T18:30:09.332+11:00A few spare minutesThe girls are asleep! I've been trying to wake them up to bathe them but with no luck. So what does one do when the kids won't wake up for you, hubby is at the gym, and you have a spare half hour or so? Update the blog of course!<br /><br />I must admit this blogging thing is so addictive! I can see why it's such a popular phenomenon. Ten years ago, who would have thought that reading about other peoples' lives, the mundaneness of everyday living and the random thoughts of others would be so interesting to read!<br /><br />I received Alyssa's Petti Shorts today thanks to Candice at <a href="http://www.princessratbag.com/">Princess Ratbag Pettiskirts</a> and oh my, they are so cute! These are going to be worn under her gorgeous christening gown (note to self: should get the gown dry cleaned asap). I am so tempted to put her in the outfit prior to her big day as I am itching to see it on her, but I'll be good and wait it out. I do have a picture of said Petti Shorts though:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFCC_G6aXAOHkjiLGcPqj6MSFLbm0_OjuXau7dCoVsFtFWiJ86YacovbrIo5tGtvaMGUbLucyLR-wvcgwUcYV9rxfpZXrpgvlReSfcPr70Rljt-elSCci93kyrZbnFXCPXRyyWNhdlX1I/s1600-h/bloomers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFCC_G6aXAOHkjiLGcPqj6MSFLbm0_OjuXau7dCoVsFtFWiJ86YacovbrIo5tGtvaMGUbLucyLR-wvcgwUcYV9rxfpZXrpgvlReSfcPr70Rljt-elSCci93kyrZbnFXCPXRyyWNhdlX1I/s320/bloomers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296980163928543842" border="0" /></a>I'm going to be a total tease and withhold taking a photo of Alyssa in them...well unless I get enough requests for a photo that is ;)<br /><br />I must say everytime I see a Pettiskirt I want one. Never mind the fact that we have 4 in total that I ordered from the US last year when the exchange rate was something like 98 cents to the dollar. But now that there's an Aussie distributor it is extremely tempting to get them in an array of different colours. The only problem would be where to store them as one skirt is so puffy, it takes up a hell of a lot of wardrobe space for one skirt!<br /><br />Doesn't this petti look absolutely stunning?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkVTOFUEjOu0q3rgf7srlT5YgSZsnXNJsDhU9ZuWuiPHUu48BD4ObPJ3q-4C5fa8MWQnLcyADXQKYpsWKr1wqjo2drTKElL_UUrpOhSgY2m7Byw2N6NelOD-21C5zrLYxuaguJ7SUZUlw/s1600-h/turqblk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkVTOFUEjOu0q3rgf7srlT5YgSZsnXNJsDhU9ZuWuiPHUu48BD4ObPJ3q-4C5fa8MWQnLcyADXQKYpsWKr1wqjo2drTKElL_UUrpOhSgY2m7Byw2N6NelOD-21C5zrLYxuaguJ7SUZUlw/s320/turqblk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296985034787119346" /></a><br />Here's Eva in her brown/dusty rose Petti<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHa9b63kyh8GG3ozJEafyz19iDtdBhM_VI_rakcynHRHeVXTviPTknKRY3GB_1lfOuF7D_YEwi3ISewxOOKOWnpjmJI-1Pn4vkVrzRpfHPyAsaIkg9wX_XTQr_PqC51aAgBb-9yOAtx6S/s1600-h/P6200126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHa9b63kyh8GG3ozJEafyz19iDtdBhM_VI_rakcynHRHeVXTviPTknKRY3GB_1lfOuF7D_YEwi3ISewxOOKOWnpjmJI-1Pn4vkVrzRpfHPyAsaIkg9wX_XTQr_PqC51aAgBb-9yOAtx6S/s320/P6200126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296983574741753442" border="0" /></a><br />Wow, she looks so little compared to now. I must make a mental note to self to get these skirts out for another photo session with my girls very soon.<br /><br />Uh-oh, Alyssa's awake and causing some sort of destruction.<br /><br />Laters...<br />xoMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061758019909434864.post-34910363250612193882009-01-30T00:54:00.000+11:002009-01-30T22:27:10.748+11:00Here I am!<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >I've decided to start my own blog. I'm not sure how long I'll keep it up though, so no promises here, sorry! But I'll try my best, so welcome and I hope you enjoy!<br /><br />So here I am, sitting under the shade of this enormous tree, on top of a hill, a glorious spring/summer/autumn day, the girls are playing and keeping themselves amused, long enough for me to gather my thoughts...<br /><br />I just booked in the date for Alyssa's christening. I didn't realise they don't do any during the lent period so I had the choice of having it in a couple weeks time, or waiting until late April. I'll take February thanks! So now I'm in full swing organising mode! Part of me loves it, part of me loathes it.<br /><br />The main thing to think about would be the cake. We got Eva's made and it was beautiful. But I don't think we'll be spending a few hundred dollars on the cake this time around.<br /><br />This was Eva's christening cake<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-_c8SOsRyzv_q_BUmmIm5bPEAnUmdbJb5Nuz4CGPGb1RC4GgmLvJWoU76dz6-w8VE73YXjPE4CdQCQqD5vmsCHgB3tVPeP93YNao1GwFFxUv-9nK3OC1ZIuK_f_BN53xK5bzouRNff-D/s1600-h/PA150105.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-_c8SOsRyzv_q_BUmmIm5bPEAnUmdbJb5Nuz4CGPGb1RC4GgmLvJWoU76dz6-w8VE73YXjPE4CdQCQqD5vmsCHgB3tVPeP93YNao1GwFFxUv-9nK3OC1ZIuK_f_BN53xK5bzouRNff-D/s320/PA150105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296720630836059634" border="0" /></a><br />I'm thinking more along the lines of simple this time, especially if I'm making it myself. Perhaps something like these, simple but elegant<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox_8fC6PaLqvZtcQMMfVZEQCDhVfRtEiBKey10gJqmhr64fUj38OCis_NosIORsKan67nHfwYTOhsf6-H_uwEAd1kWa4KCbuWBhnbC8UBirjlIabJV_ODDfLOinh412eIIoagA9JMFYvg/s1600-h/Booties-pink.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox_8fC6PaLqvZtcQMMfVZEQCDhVfRtEiBKey10gJqmhr64fUj38OCis_NosIORsKan67nHfwYTOhsf6-H_uwEAd1kWa4KCbuWBhnbC8UBirjlIabJV_ODDfLOinh412eIIoagA9JMFYvg/s320/Booties-pink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296724240296476690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhAqN1tgPZ_svlT72i3QsIyQowvIG1V820nMyNYZHMRv-QQRjMBjh4IUpLAsxbVrg_to00zqKJ5Fdu1351kEiZCrPjfKah8D5VLzYSiaG86iKoBlFfEdLZwowhbU27zidelF1PKzZCqQf/s1600-h/christening_cake.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhAqN1tgPZ_svlT72i3QsIyQowvIG1V820nMyNYZHMRv-QQRjMBjh4IUpLAsxbVrg_to00zqKJ5Fdu1351kEiZCrPjfKah8D5VLzYSiaG86iKoBlFfEdLZwowhbU27zidelF1PKzZCqQf/s320/christening_cake.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296724233252000322" border="0" /></a><br />Something to think about anyway. Since I've tried my hand at making the girls' birthday cakes which turned out pretty damn good if you ask me I thought I could probably do this one too. I'd have to look for those springy things that pop out of the cake. Yes, that's my technical cake decorating speak! Would love to look for more cake designs right now but I should really get to bed.<br /><br />Goodnight xo</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452180965868584940noreply@blogger.com3