Lightening Online

My lack of posting has not really been due to lack of time (although that is always a factor).

It has more to do with limited brain power.

Right now, my head feels like it’s going to explode.

That’s what happens when you take on a role like President and the Parents and Friends when you have NO IDEA what the job entails.

I’m on a high learning curve here.

And a lot of it is just little stuff.

Like…

Where’s the cupboard?

Where’s the key to the cupboard?

What do I do when I need to photocopy stuff?

How do letters home to parents work?  Does the Principal need to see them/sign them?

Finding out the best ways of communication with the school and within the school.

Not to mention figuring out how to communicate with parents.  And how to communicate how IMPORTANT parental involvement in the school is.  And how to commuicate that Parents & Friends are NOT just about baking cakes!!! 

Yes, any minute now I think my head might explode.

I sure hope it gets easier than this!!!!

If not, my blogging is either going to be non existent or a bunch of whines about how busy I am and why don’t parents care and why doesn’t the goverment care…etc etc.

Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.  Otherwise I might have a grand total of 3 readers by the end of the year! 

MAN - why couldn’t Zemanta give me an image of a brain exploding.  That would have been kind of cool!

Well the kids went back to school on Wednesday.  The house felt rather empty without them. :(  Mind you, it was very full on when they came home, full of news about their first day and carting all their books and pencils etc to be covered/named etc.  Not to mention forms in triplicate.

Our calendar went from empty to full with the first school newsletter.

*sigh*

Life is no less busy once all your kids are at school.

You just fill it with different stuff.

How many sleeps until the next summer holidays?

I’d meant to do a wrap-up of 2009 and never got around to it so when I saw this on Joyce’s blog, I figured I’d pinch it.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Spent 14 weeks travelling Australia with a caravan (and the family).  The highlight of my life so far (if you don’t count my wedding and the birth of each of my kids of course).

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Did I make any New Year’s Resolutions last year?  Can’t remember.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister-in-law gave birth to twins!!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Farmboy’s grandfather died.  It was a blessing in a way as he really wasn’t well by the end.  Still, he is greatly missed and has had a big impact on our lives.

5. What countries did you visit?

Australia - it’s an awesome place to visit!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

More energy!!!!  More time!!!!

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 1st - the day we left for our big trip.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Learning to drive a tractor!!!!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Our finances.  I’ve really let things get out of hand and need to get back on track.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a pretty good year for avoiding stuff like that.  Farmboy did hurt his back (twice) while we were away.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My netbook - has really come in handy!!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Farmboy - he is AMAZING and I’m constantly wondering why on earth he would marry ME????

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Can’t really think of anything significant.

14. Where did most of your money go?

I wish I knew!  That’s the problem!  We did spend a lot on our trip but all of that was pre-saved.  In general, our money has just floated away on impulse purchases and too much eating out I think.

15. What did you get really excited about?

Our trip!

And building our back verandah and decking.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Here we are in New South Wales (shearing sheep as big as whales).  Because whenever we went over the Qld/NSW border, Trailer Boy kept singing it.  And given we spent a week in Coolangatta, we went over that border a number of times.  It was from a CD of Australian songs from the Cairns Night Zoo and the kids loved it.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? I think about the same.  This time last year I was very excited about our trip.  Now I’m excited about other plans we have for the future.

Thinner or fatter? Hmmmm……

Richer or poorer?
Definitely poorer now that we’ve spent our holiday savings.  But not as poor as I expected to be (fancy coming back with money!!!).  A lot richer in experiences.  And now that I’m earning my own income again, it FEELS like I’m richer (even though the money is allocated).

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Craft.  I get too sidetracked on the computer and don’t do as much creating as I used to.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Staring at a computer screen.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Church in the morning followed by presents at home and a quiet family lunch out on our new deck.  In the afternoon we went down to Farmboy’s parents shack and spent time with them and his sister and her family.  It was a lovely relaxing day.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

I am constantly falling in love with my husband.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

A toss up between NCIS and Master Chef.  The whole family loved watching Master Chef together which was nice.  It was the only show we tried to watch while we were away - and it was awesome watching the finale with a caravan park full of people in the camp kitchen!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No

24. What was the best book you read?

I became a Karen Kingsbury fanatic this year!  I have bought and read so many of her books.  Every single one made me cry at some point!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Chris Tomlin - awesome voice!

26. What did you want and get?

To fulfill my dream of taking a 3 month caravanning trip around parts of Australia.

27. What did you want and not get?

To lose weight (gained it instead).

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I only saw 1 - that was G-Force.  It was okay but from what I’ve heard, not the best out there.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I hit the halfway to 70 mark in 2009.  We were in Broken Hill on the 2nd day of our “big trip”.  We went out for tea as a family which was lovely (although the security guard at the club we went to was not very nice).

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I do wonder if losing weight would have but in reality, probably nothing.  I’m feeling more than satisfied with 2009 as it was.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

I’m starting to wear dresses and skirts a bit more although I still love my jeans and denim capris.

32. What kept you sane?

Being married to a saint.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I can’t say that I tend to “fancy” celebrities or public figures much.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I prefer to avoid all politic issues although the rubbish going on with global warming is starting to frustrate me.  I hate the way the government are politicising the whole issue rather than doing what needs to be done to solve it.

35. Who did you miss?

My friends while we were away.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

A family we met in Port Douglas.  They’ve become really good friends and we’ve just enjoyed 5 days with them in Adelaide (they live in Adelaide but were doing a trip similar to ours when we met them in Port Douglas).

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

When things don’t work out the way you think they’re going to - go with the flow as often-times they’ll work out even better than you imagined!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“I am carried in the arms of grace and love divine”.

Leading up to Christmas I had this feeling that if I could survive the 2 weeks following (as well as all the lead up to Christmas) then I could survive anything!!!!

Life has just been WAY too busy!!!

BUT…

I SURVIVED!!!!

Phew!

Yesterday I spent most of the day asleep.

I woke up at around 11am and was asleep again by midday, sleeping until around 3pm.

I don’t tend to sleep all that well so when I sleep that much, I KNOW I’m tired.

Today I am feeling marginally better but not exactly “go get em”.

I’m pottering my way around trying to “de-Christmas” the house.  Sometime I need to unpack and start dealing with post Christmas shopping, find homes for gifts etc etc.  Oh, and bake Singstar Princesses birthday cakes (she wants cupcakes this year).

Farmboy has taken the kids to the beach for a swim so I have a couple of hours to myself.  It’s lovely after 2 weeks of extended family and friends (which was also lovely but very draining at the same time).

We still have 1 Christmas get together to have.  My side of the family is getting together next weekend.  Well, most of us are.

Other than that, I really need the weather to cool down a little so I can do some spot-spraying before the weeds totally take over the paddocks.  Still, the hot weather is forcing me to not get straight back into it and I think that’s a good thing as I need the rest.

P.S.  If I offended or upset anyone with my New Years post, I’m sorry.  I wasn’t having a go at people who have genuinely struggled through 2009.  More making a general comment about people who seem to constantly “whine”.  *sigh*  On reflection, I’m wondering if there are some facebook friends I should cull?  It’s one thing to occasionally have a vent but another to be constantly negative.  Funnily enough, most come from an online group and we probably have nothing else in common (and no, it’s not any of my yahoo groups so you can all relax and stop thinking I’m talking about you).

At the moment we are staying in Adelaide while Lleyton attends a tennis clinic.  I have my little laptop and internet connection and was figuring I’d be able to blog every day or 2 but that just hasn’t been happening.  Partly because we’re staying with friends and partly because I am so tired from all the stuff we’ve been trying to fit in since Christmas (plus the lead up to Christmas) that to get 2 thoughts together to write is just really hard.

The family we are staying with are the ones we met in Port Douglas.  The kids are all having an absolute ball.  I would be too if I wasn’t so darn tired!

Lleyton’s tennis clinic is going well although it’s not quite as involved as I had hoped it would be (it’s more of a “fun” thing than a more serious “coaching” thing).  However, he’s enjoying it because he keeps winning the mini tournaments they have each day.  No doubt he’ll improve his skills just from the point of view of getting the opportunity to play tennis for 3 hours a day.

Everything is still up in the air as to when we’ll head home but I’m sensing it’ll be sooner rather than later.  Farmboy is chomping at the bit about how much work he hasn’t gotten done lately.

Anyway, hopefully I’ll be back to regular blogging soon.

My sister in laws twins decided to make a slightly early arrival into the world.

We were originally thinking they might come mid December. That was until the doctor told her to go home and come back on the 18th. At that point we’d resigned ourselves to their arrival not happening before Christmas.

Well, as babies do, they decided to arrive on their own schedule.

Early.

So, now we’re doing a mad dash 1000km round trip (in the space of 24 hours) to see them.

As you do.

And taking these:

Turns out Farmboy’s sister (it’s Farmboys brother and his wife who’ve had the twins) had the same idea and bought identical presents. Ooops.  Great minds think alike?  She very kindly went and bought something else.

They’re doing well but so far but being fed directly by tube to their stomachs.

It’s possible they’ll still be in hospital for Christmas.

My sister in law will be discharged and have to commute to the hospital from elsewhere.  A tough challenge for anyone but even tougher when you don’t actually live in town.

Anyway, I can’t wait to see the little darlings.  Won’t get a cuddle this time but it’ll be great to have a peak and catch up with family at the same time. :)  Even if it is only for 1 day.

Soooo tired right now.

Been overdoing things a little methinks.

And things don’t look to be settling down anytime soon.

So today I’m taking a Mental Health Day.

Just resting and pottering around.  Not really doing anything unless I particularly feel like it.

It’s really my last opportunity to do so before the kids break up from school tomorrow afternoon.

So far I’ve had a soak in the tub, watched some TV and worked on a Christmas puzzle.  I’ve also wrapped a few presents.

Hoping my batteries recharge REALLY QUICKLY. 

I know that we’re more than half way through the week and I will admit that I’m finding this challenge somewhat “challenging”.  Of course, I’m making it more difficult on myself by deciding to link to the posts I’ve commented on.  As a blogger, you can never have too many links (hint! hint! ROFLOL) and since I wanted to track how many comments I’d left this week, I decided I may as well do it this way.  Of course, now all of these posts have 2 comments from  me - 1 on the blog and 1 here (and no, they’re not the same - mostly).

1. Robo Boot Goes to a Graduation Ball

Kell has a wonderful gift of writing.  A very entertaining tale!

2. Queensland Cruise Day 1

I am SO jealous of Libby getting to go on a cruise.  It looks FABULOUS!!!

3. Juggling Act

Yeah, we can’t all do everything.  Bit of a pity that!

4. 1am 1st January 2000 (what were you doing?)

5. 27ish Weeks

And sporting a wonderful baby bump.   I wish I had been blogging during my pregnancies!

6. My Surprise

A gorgeous new addition to the family.

7.  Living/Unschooling Maths

Includes some great resources for homeschooling or giving your kids some extra help with their maths.

8.  Open Letter to the Lady in the Blue Top

ROFLOL.  What would you do if your breastmilk hit another patron in a shopping centre?

9.  Christmas Cards and Christmas Dinner

When do you start your Christmas decorating?

10. Burning Question - What’s For Dinner?

Need some ideas for food when it’s hot?  Kate’s readers have some great suggestions.

11.  Prep Whispering

Kids are so much fun when they start school.

12. Have You Got Everything?

CB says goodbye to her son as he heads on an amazing overseas adventure!

13. Saturday Memes (a smiley saturday participant)

I had no idea there were so many Saturday memes floating around.  Thanks for participating in Smiley Saturday for the first time Irishcoda.

14.  Fast Enough?

Oh, my goodness.  Imagine how fast you could get from Sydney to Perth if we had a train that went this fast.  I could do the maths but I can’t be bothered.  LOL.  Let me know if someone does.

15.  Simple Butter Cake Recipe

New recipes are always a winner with me - particularly ones that don’t require multiple steps.  I love the “chuck it all in a bowl and mix” type recipes. 

16.  How Aussie Are You?

Kate answers these questions -  a great way to get to know a blogger a little more.

17.  Six White Boomers

Too early for Christmas music?  I say definitely not!!! 

18.  Started Making Christmas Presents

These look AWESOME.  I’m not making gifts this year - but now I wish I was!

19.  Weekly Winners 45 2009

Some great shots of her son’s formal along with some really interesting vehicles people chose to come to the formal in.

20.  Attack of the Optimist

McMommy’s posts always make me smile and this one is no exception!  I love reading about other peoples plans and family traditions at this time of year too! :)  I totally want one of these too but you have to call to order one outside of the USA/Canada and the phone call alone would probably cost me a fortune.  Not to mention the postage/shipping.

21.  Another Finish

Frogdancers latest craft project - I don’t know how she fits it all in!!!!

22.  To Write Love on One’s Arms

A touching way to reach out to those suffering from depression and self harm.

23. The 1/2 Week That Was

The phone call that everyone dreads - the school with news your child has hurt themselves.

24. 10 Things That Make Me Uncomfortable?

What makes YOU uncomfortable?

25. What To Do With Leftover Bread

What do you do with your leftover bread and crusts?

26. 10 Children’s Christmas Activities in Melbourne

Now I miss living in Melbourne even more!!!

27. These Little Guys are in the Shop Now

They are adorable too!!!

28.  I Made Fabric Bags With Ties

Cute little fabric bags for gifts.

29.  High Tea

My favourite!!!  I need to put one of these on with Princess Singstar methinks.

30.  Better Late Than Never…

An update from the travellers at Ozdyssey.  Makes me itchy to get back on the road again!!!

31. Awakening of Less Cheerful Feelings on Arrival Home

Patterson’s Curse or Salvation Jane?

32. Homemade Mermaid

Too, too cute!!!  Ivy I mean.  Oh, the mermaid is cute too.

33.  Jason Donovan

Yes, I was in the era of teens “in love” with Jason Donovan…

34.  Beanie Bag Games

Who knew there were so many different ways to play with small bean bags?

35.  My Baby Is a Schoolgirl

A bittersweet moment for any parent.

36.  Movember Magnum PI Mo Challenge

All for a good cause of course and nothing to do with wanting to be as sexy as Magnum!!! 

37. There’s a Whole Lotta Chopping Going on

Happy Thanksgiving to all those in the US.

38. Buns

SO adorable!!!

39. Elbows

We have all been melting in the heat wave!!!

40. Bohemian Muppets

So cute.

41. Eat Up, Everyone!

These are SO cute!!! :)  Oh, I said that for the last post didn’t I?

42. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!

I am SO off track with my hearts desire for a simpler life.  I really think I need to get back to reading more simple living blogs in the hopes they inspire me back into it.

43. Next Year!

Change is never easy but most times VERY worthwhile.

44. Saturday

What does your ideal Saturday look like?

45. Email From Santa

My kids had almost grown out of Father Christmas by the time they were passed the “too frightened to go near him” stage.

46. My First Giveaway

Pop over there to enter this lovely giveaway.

47. Christmas Hope

I so love reading all the blog posts about Christmas - especially those who share how Christmas inspires them to reach out to others.

48. I Can’t Believe It’s Nearly Christmas

Kids really make Christmas lots of fun!!!

49.  A Break in the Machinery - Part 2

Depression effects so many people - either through their own experience or a loved one.

50. Finally Back From a Long Blog Holiday

Life can and does get in the way of blogging from time to time.

I’ve actually visited more than these.  Some blogs I couldn’t comment on or I felt I had nothing to say.

Don’t despair if your blog isn’t here.  I still have 50 to go.  Make sure you leave me a comment if you’d like me to visit. 

I’ve been going through my blogroll as part of my commenting challenge and noticing how out of date it has become.

Some of the blogs listed haven’t been updated in a while.

Some have decided to go private and I haven’t been invited (*sob*).

Some have changed URL’s and I haven’t updated the link.

And no doubt there are some new ones out there (or new readers that have blogs).

SO, it’s blogroll update time.

Please click on the little blogroll link up there below the header and check the link to your blog.  If it needs changing or you have a blog to add, please leave a comment so I can fix it all up.

Thank you.

I have been a terrible blogger of late.

Not so much in the writing side of blogging.

More in the commenting side of blogging.

You see, no one understands the true value of blog comments more than a blogger.

So in my mind, part of a bloggers role is to reach out and encourage other bloggers by commenting on their blogs.

I think it’s a fine line because some bloggers get worried their comments will only be construed as self promotion.

But it’s all about community isn’t it?

I find blog commenting is bit like blog writing.  When you’re in the habit of doing so regularly, it tends to just “happen”.

Get out of the “habit” though and it becomes easier to just read blogs quickly and move on to the next one.

Once upon a time I did a lot of blog commenting.  I’ve always got something to say so it’s not that hard really.

BUT, I’ve gotten out of the habit and fallen into the “read and move on” category.

I’m still READING.

I’m still appreciating what the blogger has to say.

Just, perhaps, not really letting them know.

So, I’m setting myself a challenge.

Comment on 100 blogs in 1 week.

At 14-15 blogs per day, it won’t be an easy challenge.

I’ll be posting next week on how I went.

Anyone else want to set themselves a blog commenting challenge?