Update!!! The Reno's begin!

Yeah Yeah - I know it has been a while..... and I am slack - but yet again I do have an excuse....



Look at what we are living in.....

Here is our 'new home' ...... Britteny *trailer trash* It is cosy with 3 of us in there... and it is challenging.... BUT it is keeping us motivate. We cant live like this forever so we keep up the work inside the house!

And then - there was just one......

going.......

going........

Gone............. the top pic here is of the last of the fireplace in our room - and the bottom is of what will be Corinne's. As you can see - there is a wall there - something we were told not to expect there to be!! So that is a bonus. And from about waist height up - the soot simply peels off the brick work - you can see that our wall is nice and clean. But there is a portion that we are not sure what to do with - as the bricks are stained with soot. Tomorrow - the kitchen fireplace is going!

We haven't had any major discoveries of treasures - apart from the left overs of what was burnt in the fireplace in the middle room (her rubbish yet again, I suspect). We have found another spot that the white ants have made a visit to.... and again didn't like the taste of our timber and ticked off! But now comes the fun of fixing the ceilings - plastering.... sanding ..... painting.....

It has been interesting - packing up our 'life' as we know it.... working out what we 'need' and what can be put into a box to store.. or giving to the Salvo's.. and attempting to live in a caravan! R has been so so good - packing up her toys or just being tolerant of the restraint of the caravan.... I cannot wait to see her face when she sees what we have planned for her new bedroom.

Oh and some garden pic's to finish up...

oh - and ain't she cute????? Dont forget her Ballet performance!!! December 14th!!!

Ring or email me if you want tickets - it should be a great night - I have been helping out with the costume workshops! And the costumes are awesome!

Total and Utter Slacker

Gosh, its been well over a month!!!
(disgusting thought - I found my un updated blog via a friends food blog!! sad!!!)
OK - so - Rinn has started school..... totally loves it.

I am loving this new job - has its ups and downs.... but which job doesnt ???

And the HOUSE is up for a reno!!! We are planning to move out ... and clear out.... and whip this house into what it should be!



Quick short sharp and shiny.... well - ok - bit dull but I will come back and add in some photos.

endings and beginnings.

Friday - the end of the week - the fifth working day of the week... the day that most ppl look forward to.  

Today - I have looked forward to - as well as not wanted to deal with.  There was a fleeting thought of not coming in, but I figured that I would be braver to face the music. 

Today - I finish working with ML - I have been here 5 years,  wonderful years.  I have had a deep dark look back, I only started there 'cause my mother worked her and needed some one asap to cover for a staff member who was less than reliable.

5 years later, I am still here.

There is so much I have learnt and gained.  Experience and skills are the obvious.  But more so I have learnt things about myself - and some treasured friendships.

Things that I never thought I could find.  Both with other staff (and the boss!) and clients.   Thank god for Facebook - I can keep in touch with these beautiful ppl.

I have spent most of my day being teary - I have received 2 gorgeous gifts and flowers and compliments.  But thats not the true reason.

My girl - today is her last day at kindy.............

My baby isn't a baby anymore.....  

*sigh*

Where did the last 5 years go???  I was 5 mths pregnant when I started here.

R came into this world and I came back to work 12 hours a week - from 4-7 pm 4 days a week and Saturday mornings.  The hours slowly crept up and up and up.

Now - R is ready for school.   No longer that little girl, she is learning how to ride her bike with out trainer wheels (nearly!!).   The girl who tells her daddy off for having the telly up too loud at night!!!

So come July 23 - she is officially off to school.... and as of Monday - I am off into a new challenge.  Scared schitless about the change - but thats just me - the typical Cancarian.

But for now - it is Friday.  I am off to have dinner with some fellow co workers at our Mid Year dinner.  Should be fun.   

I will show off my "going away"/"parting" gifts.....  I am a lucky girl... that's for sure.   Maybe tomorrow..... after my hangover disapates.

A long time between..... blogging.

Gosh - talk about being a total and utter SLACKER.....!!!!!!!







I haven't blogged in well over a month - but I do have a valid excuse..... we have been busy.







I/We have managed to

• I have had 2 weeks off of work - with tonsillitus!!! A most pleasurable event including a stay at the RAH.



• We have also been down to Mt Gamier for a family holiday - we found this cute little cottage just the other side of the border - http://www.amblein.com.au/index2.html in Nelson (thanks P & Z!!). We had 5 gorgeous days there - yes it was COLD - but gosh it was certainally worth the drive and effort! Corinne had a ball as we toured most of the caves there, and feeding the possums at night at the Umperston Cave. Matt finally experienced the joy of catching fish and untangling his daughters' fishing line (HA HA HA HA!!!!!) whilst I stayed home and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the house and the surrounding residents (the local cows) I even found time to go for a run (one particular young male - steer) that wasn't with the others and I didnt think he looked too friendly to say the least.

• On the Wednesday of that week, we jumped on board a boat tour that goes up the Glenelg River - it goes up the river and stops at the Princess Margaret Rose Caves and then heads back, all at a leisurely pace - so we went and checked that out as well. We were typical bloody tourists to say the least! Poor Rinn - we even walked up to the Centenary Tower! That was quite an effort for her - she had spent the previous couple of hours playing on the playground equiptment at the Lakes (this playground almost beats what we have here in the big smoke!).

"The Wedding Cake" in the Princess Margret Rose Caves



• Due to certain events - we have since enrolled Corinne at a different school. So now she will be going to Lockleys Primary School. I am very very pleased with how the school presents itself - each staff member seem to want to be there and the kids show respect towards the teachers and the school in general. Funnily enough - it turns out that Corinne's grandmother went there!! The principal is a history buff - he even went to the trouble of finding when mum was enrolled and made a copy for her. I am really impressed with this guy - he seems to really have his finger on the pulse. There are not many kids that he doesnt know... he shows such passion and enthusiasm for what goes on with in the school. I am also impressed - as he emails out the newsletters and also keeps the school's calander on line upto date - so as a parent, I can see what they are planning for the rest of the term and the year. So she has had her 3 visits ..... and starts school next term. I have come to the conclusion that she likes it there, as we dont get a good bye before we go.... she seems to have found her spot in the class already - which is pleasing.



• I have been 'finding' old school friends courtsey of Facebook..... Its been an amazing experience. People who I had not so much forgotten - but maybe put to the back of my mind - are literally jumping up infront of me!! Like - a girl that I met at Kindy - we ended up going to Guides and Primary School together, I have managed to find! We have been doing lots of catching up - it has been wonderful to have her back in my life again. I really did not think that they would remember me - as quite a few I have found were from a high school that I only went to for a couple of years..... but now I feel really quite blessed to be back in contact with them all. It has been amazing to see where everyone is at 20 years down the track!



• I have decided that it is time to move on from APSA/Medical Lasers. I have been there for 5 years now.... and with Corinne starting school - it is time for things in my professional life to change to suit. I have met some wonderful people in my time there and learnt lots about life and myself that I wouldnt have done any other way. I have to say that it has worked well - for myself and for the company over the last 5 years.... This new job should be fun - it is reception/admin.... mixed up with lots of other aspects. It is a company that supplies various parts to mining companies. They haven't had anyone in the position for the last 6 weeks - so only god knows what I am walking into!!! Any which way - I will find the fun in it!

What's happening in the next few weeks???

• Corinne has a busy time ahead - turning 5 soon - ballet performance and starting school!


• Of course I start this new job


• Matt and I have our standard "rally weekend" where we volunteer our time to help with the rally here in the forrest. Our job involves working with the company that are contacted to film it. http://www.rallysa.com.au/index.asp

Growing up quickly!

Corinne and her cousin Baden.... two gorgeous kids!

I found this amongst her last upload of photos -

obviously this is a good game to want to take a photo of it!!

Our first Mothers Day - 2004 How much has my princess grown??!!

Rinn and Daddy - our new Tag Along bike!!

We have discovered that this piece of equiptment has the ability to wear little legs out at a fair rate! Normally Matt and I can cover 30-40kms in a ride with reasonable ease.... we did 10kms today and we now have one little girl with VERY VERY tired little legs!!! Oh Joy!!

Since Corinne came home - we have quickly realised just how much she has grown up.
It was like we sent our child off with her grandmother and she then brought home a little girl!! :O From being independant about thoughts on something or just simple daily tasks - she is such a different little girl now! AND we only have a term of Kindy left (her best friend started school this term so we have lots of motivation to get to school).

Rinnism for the week:

Daddy and Rinn were coming home and driving past the bitumen factory:
D: "Look - there's the factory that makes roads"
C: "No its not.... it makes clouds - See?"

Insert Daddys puzzled look until he looks to the sky to see cloud billowing out of the stacks!!!

To add to our week - I have managed to discover lots of old school friends from both primary and high school... and I thougth that they wouldn't remember me!! How incredibly wrong I was.

But sadly - I did find one that passed away a couple of weeks ago. I am not sure why - but it has sure brought the memories and feelings of the time that we spent together flooding back.... and it has reminded me about how precious life really is, and that we need to truely treasure what we have today.

RIP my dear..

YAY!!! R is home!!!

Well, after 8 days of being childless - we are back to normal.

BUT in sayin that - Rinn had a ball (and I think it wore out g'ma!!) Reports from the west are that Baden also had fun, but has been rather quiet since the girls left - oh and he is worn out (which from what we hear is quite a feat!)
I will post some photos later....

It is so nice to be back to normal - that is if you could use that word to describe what happens in this house! LOL


And YAY for RAIN!!! We have had nearly 40mm.... our tank is half full. Gotta love rain water, our clothes are soft... the coffee tastes better... you can shower and NOT smell like a pool!
Oh and to add to this - we have started having the fire at night..

Love life in our house now. Love winter time!

Ho Hum..... CCOOOOOOOO EEEEEEE!

Gosh our house is quiet ... when it's just he, thee and the dog.
Don't know if I like it that way. What did we do before she came into our lives??
Because now that she isn't here... I sure miss her. Even the dog goes looking for her... and is sleeping on her bed!!! (the dog howls when R cries, that is how attached she is to her!)


Rinn has been in Perth since Saturday night - with her g'ma, cousin and aunt and uncle.
We have only had 1 phone call and I was wondering why!! Well - apparently Baden and Rinn have been thoroughly enjoying each other's company! They are both up at the crack of dawn (5am for B and 6am for R - of which R is NORMALLY up at 8am there after!!!) and they have been playing non stop till R drops at 7pm - B at maybe 8pm LOL
It wasn't until dh rang BIL to find out that the kids are healthy happy and SLEEPING LOTS!!! They have been to parks and playgrounds - they went on a boat ride and a train ride into Perth.... I cannot wait to see her photos

I think that we had best get used to this idea of R going on holiday with g'ma....

Beam me up please Scotty - it sure sounds like much more fun than here....

We have managed to achieve ZERO in the room. I am still trying to get rid of everything.... oh well.
Back to the drawing board.

Dh and I are off to Callington on Saturday... helping with a car rally (racing). We have a "finish" of a Stage.
It is a new local round... should be fun - even tho the weather forecast rekons it should rain all weekend.

Here is a link to the SA Rally site... http://www.sarally.com.au/ We will be at the Church and Courts stage finish. :)

Holidays and new fun things....

Rinn and G'ma Marg left for Perth last night... Corinne was so very very excited - we have been focused on this for 2 weeks now. I am happy and sad - happy that she is happy, sad because our life is HER life... she is such a big part of what we are about.

Yes we need to share her, but gosh things are so boring with out her around! There isnt a wake up call - Mummy, Daddy please read me a book!!! Or talking bout what we will eat for our next meal .... Its not even 24 hours since she left and I cant seem to get my head around it!

All dolled up ready to goto the air port - in her 'funky punky' out fit (Note the stance - I got told "oh Mum - do I have to have a photo?") She relented...
At the airport waiting to go - it could not have happened fast enough - she wouldtnt sit with us for a photo (she took plenty of us...)

Off go our 2 girls........ gosh she is growing up so quickly!! She nearly forgot to give us a hug goodbye!! I had to grab her to get a kiss and cuddle.... *sigh*

New Hobbies.....

We were thinking about giving Rinn a camera for her trip.. a friend suggested that instead of a disposable camera - goto Cashies and get a digital! So I did - $70 later - we have a simple and easy to use 5mp camera!! (its nearly as good as the one we have!)

Rinn has been running around taking photos of EVERYTHING including the dog and fish!!! LOL I wonder how many will die of fright (from the flash!)

Self Portrait

The things that are interesting - Barbie Stickers on the Fridge!

Her fish....

And Grandpa.......

Marg saw some of her shots that she took at the airport - she wondered where R got it from (I simply said that it was genetic and she got it from her!! Yes Marg - she is LIKE YOU!!!)

WBA

Just sharing some recent WBA - White Board Artwork.

Rinn has taken a shine to our white board - like a fish to water. She loves to make up her own stories or simply use that instead of paper! (rather expensive paper if you ask me!) It is a great way of teaching her stuff too... its larger and easier for 2 people to access (for learning new words) and often I leave it there for a few days for us to enjoy..... Here she is - the artist herself!! And her pig.

This is her cow - underneath you can see milk - cheese - icecream - and more cheese! (she likes cheese.... ;) )

Pretty self explainitory!

This is a story about a Prince that marries Rinn's bestfriend, Paige. She has a sore eye and it falls out! But her hair grows longer....

So cute !!

Memories, Reno's and Ballet.

Finally - we have started to sell some of Rinn's clothing. I have given lots of it away to friends, mostly the unisex stuff... but all of the girls stuff... *sigh*
So I listed a stack of stuff the other day and today its finished. We went thru the listings and organised stuff to go into bags, and there were times that we would look at something and either just sigh or comment bout a memory.... I still keep thinkin how cute she was in all of the various outfits, and have so much trouble giving them up.

This is all in aid of a new room. We have decided that our S and M room (shit and mayhem!) needs to become Rinn's new bedroom. She needs more space. But there are some rather large things that are just simply getting in the way of this just 'happening' - Rinn's clothing and un used furniture.
Its an easy room to reno... we only have 1 wall to re plaster (courtesy of the water damage from the bathroom - but that is from a long time ago!) - we know what colour to paint - PINK! - the boards need stripping and sanding and varnish - we need to put up a new ceiling (and not take the old one out like last time!) and Rinn needs to be out of the house for at least a few days..... so as she is off to Perth with MIL for the 2nd week of the holidays - It seems like it should start happening SOON!!

I have to say this - Rinn is in LOVE with Ballet/Tap. There is no other way to describe her atm.
Every Saturday she has a 60 min ballet lesson followed by a 30 min tap lesson. I have come to a realisation that if allowed to - she would go all day!! We got home after going out for the afternoon... and she proceeded to head to her bedroom and get out her ballet bag, put on her tap shoes, remove her mat from her bedroom floor - and put the music on and practice her moves. LOL!! Now, this is not just an event simply because its the weekend - she is beginning to do this every day... in the evening when Matt is preparing dinner... she tots off into her bedroom and puts on her shoes and the music and dances her life away.
Gosh - and over dinner tonight we asked her what she would like to do for a job and got told " Lots of ballet and dancing practice - then go home and practice some more"
This is so gorgeous. We have only ever encouraged her to do what she is interested in - boy - this one is a HUGE interest. I think we might have to find some ballet productions to go and see, I can see that my mum is going to be tickled pink with this idea!
I will have to sneak a photo! ;)

Lets try this again....

Gosh - here I am again... trying to blog.

I have had a blog set up...
I have managed to read everyone else's, forget that I have one - then realise that I do... but then discover that I have no idea WHICH email account I used to open it, then the snowball effect of not knowing which of my 6 passcodes OPENS it... *insert image of me pulling my hair out by now*

Which of course - leads to me giving in and not doing it.... and going back to playing Scramble or Scrabulous on FB!!!

:P

Ok, so tonite I have it sussed - and I can remember what n where everything should be....

No excuses anymore.