tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22320138913962830912024-03-19T20:07:34.964+11:00Musings of a Muddled MumChristian. Wife. Mother. Homeschooler. Renovator wannabe. Home Organiser. Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-75562942202659792922015-06-22T08:53:00.001+10:002015-06-22T09:03:07.841+10:00My Revelation<div>It has been quite a while since I felt moved to share a personal experience in church. But today, for whatever reason, God has put it on my heart to share this, so share I will. </div><div><br></div><div>It's funny. The last 2-3 months I have been struggling, flailing, floundering, and failing, I have been trying to push forward, trying to "get ahead", trying to find a way I can go back to work so we can have more money. Trying to move forward, grow, bring something more into our house, provide more than I do. Be better than I am. </div><div><br></div><div>Trying, fighting, struggling, failing. </div><div><br></div><div>The reason? I have been doing all this alone. Not in conversation with my family or friends, not in conversation with my husband or kids, and certainly not in conversation with God. </div><div><br></div><div>Almost in silence, I was trying to achieve things, and not even I was sure of what it was, I was blinding ploughing forward, irrespective of everyone and everything else around me. </div><div><br></div><div>I thought, if I could get "there", wherever there was, that "things" would be better. Pretty vague huh? </div><div><br></div>To be a Christian, to me, is to accept Jesus as our saviour, to accept He sacrificed all on Calvary, so that we could be free from sin. Part of all that is also accepting God as the author of our lives. And so, I should want only to follow His path. <div><br></div><div><i>This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. (Isaiah 48:17 NLT)</i></div><div><br></div><div>Obviously blindly walking along is not what I mean. One cannot just blindfold themselves, sit at the wheel and drive, with Faith steering the car safely. Rather, to follow Gods path, to follow His plans for our lives, we need to stop. We need to listen. We need to pause our lives every once in a while. We need to pray for direction.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjDeA3MnABBNl6vpKQUtO8AE6d2WZ9jz2Ajwi_q0osUoIzrFg2T6XqoMgYChLYhOJBH3gFK2o3mHKXidj_sYw6_3LoVB5U50aiJuxfPxtom7sQR2NNV4K0tw5Wisecqfr0fUbciKn_f0/s640/blogger-image-1711091994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjDeA3MnABBNl6vpKQUtO8AE6d2WZ9jz2Ajwi_q0osUoIzrFg2T6XqoMgYChLYhOJBH3gFK2o3mHKXidj_sYw6_3LoVB5U50aiJuxfPxtom7sQR2NNV4K0tw5Wisecqfr0fUbciKn_f0/s640/blogger-image-1711091994.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br><div>Every author uses the Semi colon (;) in his books. Its a point where a sentence could end, but instead, after a pause, it continues. Its used to pause, refocus, to take note of what has been said, and then continue on with the sentence. To make you reflect on where the sentence has been and where it is going. Emphasis. </div><div><br></div><div>It is ok, in fact it is good, to use the semi colon in our lives. To pause, reflect on what has been and what may be ahead. To stop and listen. Get direction. So you can continue on the right path. To pray for guidance so that you take the next steps on His path, and not just your own path. </div></div><div><br></div><div><i>For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT)</i></div><div><br></div><div>And that is what I have failed to do. Pray. And that is why I have failed in trying to get "there". Without Prayer, without consultation with God, how can I know where this mysterious "there" is? Clearly I want to follow His path, but I am never going find it on my own, in my own time, by myself. </div><div><br></div><div>Today, for a moment I paused, as someone at church, giving a communion message, made me stop & think. I could almost hear God say "FINALLY!!". And, in almost a rush of revelation, as if I would quickly start trying on my own at any second, He revealed some very important insights to me. </div><div><br></div><div>For God to reveal the next steps in my path, OUR path in fact, I must pray. We must pray together. As a couple. As a family. For us to know where next to tread, we must first consult with God, together, so that we take the right path, not only for ourselves, but for our family. </div><div><br></div><div>I must step outside my comfort zone. Individual prayer is something I'm used to. It's safe. If I say the "wrong" thing, I know God won't judge me as he looks beyond the words to my heart. But I worry about judgement from others, even my own husband. So I avoid praying with others. </div><div><br></div><div>And as if all that wasn't enough, at the end of our service, our Pastor brought up Baptism. I have not been baptised. Our church seems to love doing baptism in winter & I don't want to get in the freezing cold water & be baptised in the middle of winter. So I have never put my hand up & mentioned I would like to be baptised. But God clearly said NOW is your time today. It is not about my comfort, or about the temperature of the water. It is about cleansing my spirit, giving myself to God and His purpose for my life. It is about pushing further into relationship with Him. And so, despite all these negative thoughts rushing through my head, I said "really? *sigh* Ok then". </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. (Ephesians 4:5-6 NLT)</i></div></div><div><br></div><div>If<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> feel you are struggling in life, maybe it's time to use a semi colon. Have a momentary pause, to reflect & to pray & to listen. It may not be what tou want to hear, what you are looking for, but I can guarantee you if it is His path for your life, it WILL have a fantastic ending and you will definitely be happy! </span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsRtkCK5YnU2Q0OuWmz7sBGIPBFJDQzX-S_qA12W8k1UIEcuwzQSKwiC9BAKBLKWq42DWHQBBVsowmaMBDRMcDmjcAnDDjwYXDcnaMsystSF-dyld6_B8vsP-0YfeaMJlebVblyTnVU4/s640/blogger-image--396646976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsRtkCK5YnU2Q0OuWmz7sBGIPBFJDQzX-S_qA12W8k1UIEcuwzQSKwiC9BAKBLKWq42DWHQBBVsowmaMBDRMcDmjcAnDDjwYXDcnaMsystSF-dyld6_B8vsP-0YfeaMJlebVblyTnVU4/s640/blogger-image--396646976.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-29568921387298927392015-03-21T16:02:00.000+11:002015-03-21T16:02:59.478+11:00Renovating Rambles<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My poor Dad.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We live in his house. On his property. In the most gorgeous semi rural area.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When he bought this house, it was for Himself, Miss (now) Teen & Myself. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1923612_22234241640_1299_n.jpg?oh=646f3a770ef4196ded0d92e9f191cd63&oe=55BE7D37&__gda__=1433729591_bde4ddc8e57d5c9be0ba14f3a94c9216" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day we moved in Dec 2007 </td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With 4 bedrooms, we had a guest room. 2 living areas meant Dad had his own space and Miss Teen & I had ours. We added a big shed and a pool. It was a dream space for our little family. I loved, and still love, living with my Dad. He loved (for the most part!) having us around too! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fast Forward 3 years and suddenly we added (now) Muddled Hubby. 9 months later, Mini Miss, then 3 years later, Mr Moo....</span><br />
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<img height="212" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1505598_10152426090301641_7980678490062711615_n.jpg?oh=6348d985a1e6c02384b9861007a0b0af&oe=55ACC4AB&__gda__=1434438395_74777f8fc940759151e3bf06c7eafe2d" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suddenly our spacious house with a guest room was crowded. There a tantruming noisy, outspoken preschooler. There's a temperamental Teen girl who switches between beautiful and spawn of the devil quicker than you can blink. There's a little baby, who still wakes at night and DEMANDS to be fed! The baby is in with us as we don't want him to share a room with restless Mini Miss, and honestly, have you ever tried to make a teenager share a room with a MUCH younger sibling?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not going to happen.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Basically, he's been unintentionally crowded out! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we told him, we can move out or we can manage with things as they are. When Mr Moo is older, he can share a room with his sister. But I think Dad secretly likes living with us, but he would also like his own space, where he can shut a door and not hear our everyday noise (and it is VERY noisy some days!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So enter the Granny Flat. Dad researched for several months. Then we settled on a company to build it and signed. That was October last year. Its now March, and we still have a big empty space where a little one bedroom flat should be.</span><br />
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<img alt="Image result for house building memes" 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X1rnnEeIOwxnmozsO8eldQ6O3GVgY/it1+mn96tjSfAkm400L5Y6FBIJAAJ9BihqMNVMnSPhyINS6VJ3wBjPjnek+ebDb1GaadGrE1JWELiYYNVJr2OODLsBnJ8+Zqpcz5FCuKIrgKRnz8KVFq+hd47xM3DDSulV5DxPifOh8lmQN6Yxw5I99h691UeIyK+NO48udXjL0jLkx3zLsAYwa8ZqIi3XHd+ZreLh2rkD61XeTemkDVNZTLacDycnT+Y+ewrK7cg/tZn0dPtn1NTRu2DnPL6VWlkB3FbR3KjIJGcADflz/wBqoZCdPeGeW/KvLj9BVeWUDfNevOG7/Kg2cKPSe3lhv0ZCNFyjFgRkCSPAyPDIIPnioo8gAMctjcgc/Si/G+IxzmMJzR9We7IDKQP/ALvpQm655ziseSSbuJsw3t5IblS6sNwTjB8MVFbGRNjA8rZ3JnVdvFRsMHwxWsVzMpJX7xBzBG49CKvRYlG2pCOYIxSRZZl/ovCWnMxV1CrhUc6ipbYjIyCOznmedMsrfebd4FL9hMY1fyx+WDv8quRcQDdo4HxxWuDSRgyt7g2nun/VW0K9lj6jnQWTiGHAB7JG/rvVS8vslgj5wQMA8s+NTz6iOGNyJpWRdK5V7GG3GoY8fdz8j+dKnEmZlGk43GfMH8hyzRrjNoXMbr/4Ybs+KyYz8QVU/OhGkEaT6VgxanzLcbsD4IIFmKk6UD4OAXJ38Pd5edQ8XAjt5Vdsl2VSVGBkYJIHcNjW0MsgOGV2K+6RnB+PLFMtrw4m10kdpgXGPEcx8s/MVTJmjjSb+xssqRyhFiDA6m+QraPqcjIf1yP2rqVnwy3cBJoUdW/FpwRnv1DcUk9M+iy2cmVduqYjSWGSCc7MQPJsHyqzn89pmjJHlmluVXKPv36uWPSvOINFG5VYgcAbszHmAf1qlZ3EQRRqY8+Sj9TU17fQMxYo5Jx+IAbADzopOyrr0Vrq9OBlYwANsLnbl3k7U+9FeLIYoMEFo4gHXlgEjceW3PupHaWHClYhkjPaYnG5H6UZ6LWrMutSF0AD1z59w2+tPCe1iyg5DX0gmEjKysCF1KR4EeNKE8AIJFFOKThQXXkc6vIjOfWglrc6lye+pze52accdqSPbRB8aqX0yRnLch9T+gqG5vxFqxjP5UAkd5ycUIxt8mlpKNmt3xJnc5AxnlzzW8fCmYg50ju8flRC1sVjA7LMw78DapmvFGxyD4YyfpVuuiPxa+bKy2AXfQSf9W/ywAKlye7I8sBj9P2rdbhSfeHpnH7VIpXw/r9a5uuykcO7pnsUxO2QfIHB+R/esrDg+FZXbh/A17/s6rZcVVU7RPM8gTt545V515kk1R5YHljfcc81F16plRjI97wX1xzPkN6n4Jc6CVYKqscggBSD5gd2w5kmozzy2twV0eJQYkQspDbZ8CCfyxUCHTlFGMePfn8+VWahuzjD+Gx9D+1eDn1ubJ2x0kA7qxEb5T3WyQPDvI9KpXW4o7cx60IHPmPX/ele4uQRW/R5nkhz6NUJWqJraKQDsSBMsCcrqB9dxj50VMhCjJVm/wAowPlv+dK68cIkUIRgcx+fxos19kg8wcFWA2I9fStvQ4RFusjLqzkcsHHqMcq8EQBZCeWMY7geW/n+lRxz/iGcjf5Vb4kQercea/PBH1zUlklHMl6a/sy5Y82aRW4KhDI222V0jH0NDL2xeBgVORnn+jDz/etr3hTahNA/UynZjjKvjl1i/i9ee/Or9nxAThoJk6q4C50ZyJFH4om/GoPxGRmp5VmxS3P5R9idF2yYSoGXmOY8PEfqKyTgSS75Kt4r3+oO1DOESmKXc9k9lv0PwprRMMR/QzWVw/a5k1+LO3OPQEg6KLnLSsR4ABfmd/pRX2YKAFGAvuj+vSrkb597nXj939f1zrfrcUZ6e0BzcuxfuoNDkDkdx6H9uVe3MC3QEL4IkgmQ58UMRU+oLZz61e4tFlNQ5rv8Dsf0PwodwAFrlj3RxY/5pWH/AOsNNpJrLCDfa4Acig4ewBVnVGUlW3OQVOCMY23zW8ljGoGqU7jIAT4d5pt+0jgxjuBMgOibc8sBxgEZ8xg/OlG7gyqZdBgEHtZ5nPdzrRK1KjQknGzw3MQChQ7YGNyBzye71pi6KPricKdJVtQAJGxyPiNhtSwtvEqhi5YEkdkY5Yzz9aJcC4ksMmrGFOoHyBOx+HOg0NGTTQdmWVGGIw4Jy+DjPhsfjSfxm+eKRiNu7TnIAHh502dLeM+zw5XGttk7x5n4CkXhsLS5lmyRnIz+M10U+2a+JPauzyxszL23yF/Cvif2ojIMevkQB6YA517LcadgDkfDHpVD2lmGwO/fTWN4kvfJvJz7JYHx2IH65rQOw5EN68/kakjbHh8a2kIIrnMpHStc2VXuFJwwwfL9qjLMoyp1A93P6d1WZlDbHc93iPj+9UpoHhOc6vMfrTxRlzZGnT/ktQzKfe5/4c7fOsqvEFlU5IXz/wARrKO4koT9M6V0Wu55YFkk0HUchQunAB2OcnJOPCjwbxB9D+nj60H6KjTbQqeYQUwlQRjv7jUYy28eicsargJ8Luta4PvL9R3H1qadgFOdxg7UAsLrRKNW2+G9G2z/AF4UavD2W9K8H9QxLHktdMlVMp2LkakPNeR8uY+lL3H7ROt5e+NQIPfyb6/nR65GCsg5MulvUcvoap8Tt9UIfvQ6vgdm/f4VHQ5vHmX0+BrE+5sERdIY9o7nvx4fGmS04UxhUR+7HgaTzxjuz+VVDbb52503cIQdSMfiyfmdvpivY12R4oqvsKm0DLaFdPeDy5d9aXzoFVdXKQHODgHB2J9SD8KrcUDR3Leel18Btg4ztzFWFlWRfcXPxG9VxzjkipFGrQXhhBXTk5x/Xxr32aKeNSSQV3VgNLo3iue/4EHvqtw2VsFjjJ+mO6rPBZDoAZQD9Ph4HyNbIVIhJUDr+37TZO+xbbTnPeAe40x2ZyincnSN8c9hQbparhFYAY1BWx3q23w3A+dWej8uYEYKo+Jrz9fGEYxTECZGd8EeWM/9qwPk49fyFRNISN9JyfMV4jHSp2GTvz2z+tTx5YzwSj9Co2nA5Hk2R+4oZwMBHlXcsCueyfAgEnv2H1NEYIi6drHMgqCQBg+W55eNCo5GW6Zc4DLsM7fdkE89ztItW0mF4XuvhhTL3H+FpcwSQudIwCG/wtvg/Mcu+uM33B9DdW7lX1aSGGnf411e96TQRF11o7gElFOcaeeo8lrnfS/iEsrxzGFQ7b7fh04wMnmSCN63TplYWkDF4JuFLHSGJ1AbYOPH0qhIyjWoJwrMN/L0qU3jhzIzgLn3QxPMctvSqaAM7Y31Ek92M86RDK26DHSWzTMUYlaWKNdmYaSxbkPIAYocJtRCnbGdh5chUt/dAuurOkDc/DA/KhvW6y2lSMnnXJe2ejKfjShHv2TXIOGJKju3Pf3/AJmoc4GA6eFeyWajAZgMDJ79z6VBJGh2Vh8aLfonijPmVm/tBzhXBx8K2jcs2NhgbkcvKqRtDjI39CKrAMozuMnb4U0UhM2XIuAn1uk455z6nFSiX/H7n50Nt7tgcsAQB31vFcKcE5HPbmPkaNCRyqvkTTWhzqQY8F/asqP2nHLffGf1rKNE33wdM4JMdGD3Zo7HNtS5w088d2350dt1rJ7ZRdFTjs+lNecY2J8m2+hwaaTNrhD/AOKMN8SAfzpf4pw5ZoXjJxqUj51e4RI/UxK3MRaWHmvZO9eX+qfhFkpx5CdiQYxnyrxFGCCNt8jyPOoOFv2Kuz9lSa8aL9k2Jd8ShZP8JI9TyH5inOPsBVH4QAPhtS1xW1JuLfwc5b1TB+oxRuaXBr0NZqPLGH/hyQM6Wz9uM+CknHhlR+9QWcpyNtvWs4pKGmAPJoXUeqnV+oqpEMEADceA3rZoJXCjRj6oZLcgf6W+holwxNsHfG2/hS/bTADc/WtOLX8keh0cgZIbHnyJ9MfWvUjPaJKG7gcbq31RsnPUpHxxt+lL/AZv5dCO9c1RsOlEqkaiHGeRH5EYrbh86qiqSBknAyBtqJ/UV5/6pNTxrb6ZKeKUew4HzUks3ZwPwkE+W/8AvVVZQcYI+YqDid+IoJWC5ZSAPPVpH61i0KcnKH2hKNeJ8Qkt0aTrFCs2QCuWycDABOO7wNJ/SniKydSFd9RMhfBOo6lQb4/0gY5bVU4lNPck9YR5Y5KD3Dz86tw24HmfnXoxxuCW6TbX8FsWFvlguG0YuG0hQAV07jIPjjvqbpNY67fUCS0eCPTkdvHH5UXitMnfbyq//CutR4lB7Skc8YHLOTV4W2aZ0onJEjIRgxC5K4yfDPdzq3bwaUyDnXtk7fTzopefZ7dQI0k7wLGvvHrCSR5dnmfDND57wMQwPZXddufdnHlWnlEsSTZBfQHbUQMsOfn3AV7EuB2T2QCzHkPACqikyvvnAOSfT8ql4hKG0ooGMUUurLzfybiQ3EbY94Enc/Gq727gevnVn2UVpNFvsTtQ3Kx/BJR5KcoZRy/r4V5rxgeHjU2W1AA5xvvvXlzL/lGTtVEYp7rIVKkeGT3VIyr3Hl47cqhMI7jy7q0kRgPHNcgSn9mxUhPjmsrUTdx5eFZRGW2jqHA5gSx8cH6f18qJ3d/KJI4LaDr55AzBNaoMJjJLMQO+lrgFx2Vz5rt5VL0sbCwyqSHSZFDKSDhiMjI7jWTHTnTC2/HaDss3F4yivw1QZG0IBcxHLYZse9tspOfKoP4lxKJXkawwhYQZ6+PaQuEwAGzuzKM8u/NMnH5W/tHYpk6epc6cnGR1gzjlnHfRDpUI/Y26otg8Qg1av8ftEWrHlnlWjLpcWRVJWZvLIWU4xeWfV+32XUQu4QP10b4YgsMhWJGyn5VPFxniF0BLaWBktyTod5UjLgd6KxyeXOgn28SQ+0IFllNwFBMR/uhHpl7Yztrzt6UxS3M8VpwVrWATyaDiIuIwfuuepthjc1m/xmm3Xt/4LuYMg45eXwPsdix6mTTIZXWMJINmTtHc77+G1U5uM35Nx/IuDagG4BkTsAgsCO12wQpOVzypisZpGsS0qdTK3FYi8YcNpJuYcjUNjR6zkQcQ4r1mOrMNkGzywwuFOfnim/xumqtv9s7czmxPEpLiALZHW8ZmjHWpgxkAamYNhRuNjvvVthxVZVh9g+9ZGdQJ49LKmkMQxbG2tcj/ADCnDiVy9nxG1jjgknjFiY5NAyyIjqA/MZ5YNJvSWzlhuuDSQXkktlJPGsAJwUVmiypYAM6MuPeyezvVselxQ/FDLJJEvVcWR1RuHDXJq0D2iI50gFt9W2ARzrbiF5xBOrgm4cweclIvvYyrMASQWDYVsAncj3TTCZ2/tQE1HSLMkLk6QTjJA5AmrF2418O6os0f8Sm1tIe2HAuQQBjdc6wN9go8ap4ofQfLL7Of54hCk0ktmRHbHTOwmjOggK2MBsts6nbPOr86cTWJp24eeqC6z96msLjOdAOrl3YzTfxbe24yP/il+P3dr491b9Kr+8i4hJ7JaLdarRRIGlWMIuuXftHtZyRjypfBj+g+ef2KMFjxdlDpw4FGAYH2mIZDDIPv+FRxcVvENuZuHs63X/q6rMh6w4DAkBsqMEHfFbcKvJP7KyP1j6wzANqOQA4AAPPkMU62g7fA/wDh5P8ApQ0VgxrpC+WQuXnF7+30LLwqNetcRx9XJGwLnYK7Z7Oe4naqPFOOXWJ88O6s2oVrkiWPsK4JXADdsHB93PKmdmzaL/8ANz9Lsir3T61i9h4pMm7vAI5PWHUR9JT9KZ44v0BTkvZz1ON3UkS3MFmXgaRYlk61AWdmEYGktqGXIHLG9GLfi/FUmaH+HDWsfWFOviACZ06tWrHPO2c159j1mZ+HNAecN9HJjwAMUoPzBpz4pKpju71T2DZMit5oZ8/UrXLHFdIMskn2c06U3HFr0W0K2YjWdWliXroj1gUISSS3ZwHXY497ypZseFXc3tCRWpZrTa4+9jHVka8827X92/u55V2K1H8xwP8A4O4/6dpS10EP3/SX/U3/APXRcEzo5Zx6Oe8Kt57llhtIusleMyaQyrhRjOS5A76mv+jnEIZIY5bRleZikXbRlZu8ag2lT5EjlRP7DHzxOPytpB9VrofFACOHGElol4kxcye+G1TjA7tIYsPl50FBJFZ6md8M5Jx7hV5Y6DeW/VK+oJ94j5KgEjsMccxz8aur0K4qUEgsiVZQ4IliJKkZGFD5JwRtjNWvt3kh9tASSVpMHrUb3I+ymgx+Z7WfQV1exc+08IGTg2U2RnY4FnjIrvHH6C9ZmaqzhvR3oxxC7jM1tba0J06mdEBI7l1sNWPEbVU/s/e9XNObdurtnKTEsoKMMEgqTqOzA5AI3rsnRza14bjb+fkz/wDkfOi1hHC54tFPgRzXYiP/ANSC3UD1yfnTbUReWX2cSHQbibzPCLXMqokjL1sWyvkKc68HJU7ZztQbiNjNbzNDOuiSPGpdStjOCN1JHLFfRMAA4pehicCxtwSOeAZ8kedfO3FniNxL1EkksWV0SS++wwM6vjkVzXByblIrOQ2c7Gsr0DurKSy7gOcXFwzBVQKuc7Ko3+AolxO2M8QVSAwZXXPLKnODjuofJ0adGYhxhSSBg8huPpV/hc/ZBO23fXnQnj7xMfD8ltZZveJcRe8iv2W1E0SmNUGvSQc7nLZzv3Vtc8b4nLC0bJaBTOtxkF86ldZcc+WVA9KnEmobfX9qB8ftrliDHqKAclI5+nPlVvPkfCaBkwRS4CvF7+84mojuorWNNSszxhus7OezljsN++vF6WXvD4I4urtpxBlbeR9WtQQRuAe1sQCRileDjFyOwpbPgEBb8udX7Xo/PMQZyVHgxyx/5V3A9cVLz5cct2SSr6MzibdHum17AJEaOK6WSXryJBjTITr1KRsBqwcdxG2Kkl47xGVb0yCA+2qiyMdS9WIw2kR78hrPPNFZuALEIykcsgY6XIUDSAAQwHz9aqcS4FO+t2KpCmcHfCjkO7tMdtueaEddOb+HQVC+je36b8SluI7kJb60iMJTDYkViGOctscjuqPj1/ezezSGKCCOxdZIYIwdJKlSMnwGnGB3E1FZvBEOxrdu/OFA9OefjTFF0gQqCxIIONJHL0xtim/cZnL1RpWinVtAyxv+KS338RSCLruq6nQVkC6fHc5zVi+Ti6xIH9kgWK5a5WQs2Q7s7acEnI+8IxjlUFhwlLuwuL2WWcyi5MalZWRdIdFHZ5DZqLcY+za3imuzmfq0tDNETK20ilw2T38kOPOvQW6uzLcb6BHHekt3dRSW7i2tllIaaSEOxkIAA58s6VGdzgCiCdKOJ3CuiraCVo+qe4TJfRv+EnAOWJ54BJoD9nHBIOIQXlxe9c/s4TAjcqSNLk4A5sdNGOHdF+F+wvfmK90CVkCJI3WBQ2gZA7886CU/bX8HNw9Ir23A+ICxbhyi3FsxJ61ies3bUcANg7+WKIOnGCbTT7KhswRFjWesGlUIfJ5EKOWKk6N9CrSW0sJJWuzLdLgsk7YVtLPk55LhceuKj4J0TgkgnkuZbqZ4rt7cNHOQSodUU45ZGoE+hp6f2LwT3a8XuBH9za2yxTCfqwSetkDa8sc7AtltuZO9ZccM4vLHdxObNY7xtUpBcmPKoh0DPLCA799Vp+hsaycVRp7l1tII5IPvmBUuk7YYj3sGNedSTdCovbrG2SW4EVxA8sw69tygXGD3btXcgLNhwu+4dLK1h7PJHN1WoTlhpaJSuRpON87+gpd4xxDiVnYixkNs8UweMPlzIA3abvwMZ54ozcdDbf8AiNpbxy3BtbiCSTHXtkuhxkHmBgrtVXjXQ2xUW0xa6WI3jWsiyynJBZo9SnHZGpQ2dwVzXchTV8gL+3l8rWkvV238tHJFGO32g6xqS3azkCJeWOZqW3+0q+E0ki29nqmVVcBHwdGs5Pb5nrGzmt+nXQm3sLV3BlM73Rjt9T7CPnuPxbA7/wCYUumVIlG2pj3nYDHlSSk4l8eOE39Ik4d0iuLa9e+jSASyhgY8MEUNj3QGyOXjRG++0O9l6j7q1jWCXrgqK4DN2vey3LLE7Y3pflvGLDZQAv51pLc7HZd9qVzkXhp8b5svdMOl9xxJUWaGCPQ2rXGrajtpwSWORRq3+1a/RY1WC0Jij0I5RyyrhR/j79K5GMHApUQJjdSD5VFFGCThvn5UVk+yeTTqNUMHRz7Rbq1iERjhnCSNJG0gOUds5IKkZGWbz7R3xUM3Te9CTRnqmaa4S5Z8HUrpoKBcHSFXq1wCDQQWmSAQPMqf0qq6EE49KZSsk8VK2Ocf2p3wuZbnqrYvLGkTKVfTpQsRtrzk6znfwpY47xZ7qdpnjijZgF0xKVUads4JO9Ues3GRWh8qLYIJJ2baqyoy1ZS0W3ndpUVlOR3EZpAsZ8BQedM/CuO9aNJUq/luP3FKPHI+pndRy2b514Ogxyxyljl2DHKmMcE48cVZM2O+lywucjcUTEmVNbnE1J2XWm7wNz4bH0J51cj4sRjQyx7cnjZs/FTy+FCAcCpFbbu2NSlhhJ3JCzxRkGZOLSsuFe3Y93bZCeXLXhQfU0rX8N4+esE2knOnq2K/DRlaMLL5VKIMe6zIfGNiv5bH5VTHCEOkCMHD8RVi4dNkEJI3iBG4/NRV82c684JR6of2pljilPO6uMeTL+1F4OjStu89w/kZCPoKsoRl0M9XOHDF/olKF4FcqxAYXR2JGffj7qfeM8dR04pAXXMUJK7jdZY2xg95DK3zFLzdALBm1NCGPfktv64I386lXoFw7b+Vj23/ABfXfetqZ5rXIqfY1dtb2HFHyEkVUdNWOYjkIIB591MXQq/vLngpaCeJLyWaRi8mkDtSZYlQpAyM8lopfdErKZg8tujMuwOMbDlkDAIqnxLoRw9yztbJqwTsWAyB3gEA0dx1BHoaziw4WI5I1VVxOCy9pNEigYO/v6T3bZ9KG8F4hHBaXZtXRF/iBCaSMaTLGGAB/D7w22x8KUuN9DbOKdlWLsjA3J5kZ8eVUbno/aDfqR8M/vWZ6yCdUzTHSTasf2EPt3GbeNoxLc2sRRdYGttE6sck4G7pn19aK208X8RizImq2sSr9odkyNGMHB54Rj6Vyh+j9r7vVAYPccH58+6rfBui9q0gXqUYaSx1lj+RyTQWsg/sL0c0P/CBbk8HmhkJiSKaNTIy68OiEa8cj90fnSl9p12J+FNJI4eWK/nSM5GVRZZUUADmNCrv6UL6a8Ds0ttcVqiOzhchm29By7qQ0sk0lsDKkehq0M0ZK0T/AG87o6P9sF800vDe0H/lzIcY999AYnHoKSBCmT1hJIJ2ANeWcKggooXlnHM4/KrsyAHPPJP1oSkmzRj00tt2DJAjE6SRv58qx7NAB2/pV1yFGwqmzZNI5WzUtNsjz2RzRKB2XBJ2FRvCygd9RsoL791ZcORkA7csVWjz8l27IhckZPI15G+/n41JGiEdrOR4eeK81xDJAbcbb7jf9qKQkpsjl3yeY+v+9QYxuP6+FWUeLHutnbvr2QxnGAw553+VED55KpOa9qUvHjk2cc8/KsoiWf/Z" /></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I never knew HOW MUCH effort it was to get one of these things built! I thought, simply choose a company, submit the idea to council, start building. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nope. Because we are on our own septic and water supply, we've had to modify them and submit that to council. There's surveyors, engineers, plumbers, concretors. There's kitchen cupboards, appliances, fixtures, fittings, bathrooms, tiles, paint, flooring....windows, doors, pathways, paving......it just goes on and on! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankfully, I THINK we will see building FINALLY commence next month. Once its built, bring on the fun stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In coming months I am going to learn how to paint rooms, lay pavers and concrete. Then, once Dad is settled, we start on our own house. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have to move children, decorate and design REAL bedrooms, not makeshift spaces they live in sometimes. We have to paint more walls, maybe lay new carpet, or at least, cover some old carpet with rugs for now. We will suddenly have 2 living areas to spread out in.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, as well Homeschooling posts, in the next 12 months, I will no doubt post to brag about my renovation skills.....and also lament about my MANY renovation fails! And no doubt, I will spend entirely too much time on Pinterest (like I don't already!).</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you will join me along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel to check out my Pinterest <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/muddledmum/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Its where i get A LOT of my homeschool ideas as well as, well, everything!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-48320525220295550432015-03-09T15:39:00.001+11:002015-03-20T15:25:30.376+11:00Australian Animals Week - Preschool Homeschooling<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Given where we live (semi rural area) Mini Miss has seen Kangaroo's since she was born on a daily basis. They are nothing new to her, but suddenly her interest was peaked by watching 2 young males having a fight in our backyard. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The idea of Aussie Animals week was born.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started off with something fun, an animal dice game. She rolls the dice, and whatever animal it landed on, she had to imitate...</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jump like a Kangaroo</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fly like a Kookaburra</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Climb like a Koala</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Snap like a Crocodile</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slither like a Snake</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Run like an Emu</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got the idea from <a href="http://www.houseofbabypiranha.com/2010/05/we-play-move-like-animal.html" target="_blank">House of Baby Piranha</a>. Being a rainy day, this was a great activity to burn off that excess energy a 3 year old builds up. Over a week later and this dice, even after the dog tried to eat it, is being pulled out and played with!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next we did lots of fun crafts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We made an Echidna using a printable from <a href="http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/echidna-colouring-page-2" target="_blank">HERE</a>, some brown paint and some wooden tooth picks for spines. Mini Miss is still developing her fine motor skills so this was a great activity for that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next we did some join the dots to make a Kangaroo. Mind you, I got this off the internet (<i>not sure of the source, for some reason I didn't save its details</i>) and as we did it, it proved to me that its worth double checking these things first. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we did a bit of talking about Aboriginal art and the Dreamtime. One of Mini Miss's favourite books is "What Made Tiddalik Laugh" by Joanna Troughton, a dream time story about a giant frog, so this was a great link in to something familiar for her. Then we did our own dot painting. I got the template for the kangaroo & an example of a dot painting from <a href="http://www.freekidscrafts.com/australian-kangaroo-dot-painting/" target="_blank">Free Kids Crafts</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next was a Koala craft. We have been focusing on the letter K, so this linked in well with that. I got the craft from <a href="http://getitdonemomma.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/alphabet-crafts-free-k-is-for-koala.html" target="_blank">Get it done Momma</a>. She decided the Koala needed a sun and some bats. Apparently "the bats were scared by a noise and thats why they were flying at day time when they sleep mummy"</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, to finish off our week of Australian Animals, and our bit of learning about the letters K & L, we decorated an L with gum leaves. Simple, fun activity for a Mini Miss who LOVES all things glue! Firstly she insisted on lining up all the leaves and counting them, and then, because they were different sizes, she grouped them into small, medium and large. All by herself. Great impromptu child led maths! Easy when you have a little miss who LOVES to learn!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> As we complete things that go with our theme week, they go up on our work wall, where our family planner lives too. This encourages retelling of activities, remembering of things we have learnt, and obviously, showing her I am proud of her work!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was so much more we could have done. But I am using Theme weeks as an introduction to new ideas, new things. Sometimes they will last a week, other times it will be a couple of weeks. Being mostly child led in this learning experience means some flexibility. Also, now Mini Miss goes to Preschool 2 days a week, it means we might need a bit more time to do all the things we want to when it comes to a theme.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week we are covering Bugs. This has been so much fun, and I guarantee we will still be covering it next week too! </span></div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-48486523887289672322015-03-02T16:00:00.000+11:002015-03-20T15:26:48.899+11:00Making Pancakes is learning too - Green Goo Pancakes!<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini Miss woke one morning and decided that it was a baking kind of day.<br /><br />I went with it, choosing something easy, so she could help me. I do, afterall, love to cook!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to Green Goo Pancakes!</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup of self raising flour</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon caster sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 egg</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2-1 cup of milk</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a few drops of green food colouring</span></li>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is such a simple recipe, that I have used for years and I have no idea where it comes from anymore! Basically mix flour & sugar, make a well in the middle, add egg, a few drops of food colouring, then milk gradually until you get a drippy but not runny mix. Pour into a pan over medium heat and flip when bubbles appear.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have this recipe written down, so we read through it and followed the instructions. We measured, we talked about what might happen if we used too much flour, or left out the sugar. Mini Miss cracked the egg, stirred and stirred. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, fully supervised she poured the mixture into the pan and she was on bubble watch. Once there was plenty of bubbles, she very carefully flipped the pancake and was so very excited when she did it right!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, once they were all made came the best part! Making them gooey and colourful! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A drizzle of Pure Maple Syrup and some sprinkles and we had success.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Given that Mini Miss has so many food aversions, I am always excited when she wants to eat something outside her normal comfort zone. These can always be made much more healthily, but we are just taking one step at a time!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even Mr Moo got into this one, enjoying his first pancake! Just plain for him though. No need for sticky gooey syrup when you are only 6 months old!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you cook with your kids? </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a favourite recipe for us to try, please post a link below so we can check it out!</span></div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-51366104578714842122015-02-27T04:00:00.000+11:002015-03-20T15:27:15.362+11:00Domino Maths<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doing child lead learning sometimes leads to lots of fun! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini Miss was very keen to play with the dominoes last week. I was busy trying to clean up, so I tipped them out in an out of the way place. I told her that we would build the dominoes up to knock them down, once she sorted them into colours.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini Miss was very excited by this, and set about sorting the colours. As I worked, we talked about the colours. She then counted the number of each colour.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some great fine motor practice, Mini Miss set these ones up on her own as she counted them!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once we were done with sorting and counting and making mini domino trails we made a big colourful trail....</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and then the fun of knocking them all down. We talked about how come they all fall, and what colour order they would fall in. Which colour would go first, and which colour would fall last....lots of great, simple maths concepts in one fun activity!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-20716879397683783822015-02-23T16:00:00.000+11:002015-03-06T20:17:28.991+11:00Our Search for the Tardis!<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you may already know, I am a geek. Our family are geeks. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And we all love Doctor Who.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So when I recently heard about a Tardis being discovered on a property only hours away, I knew immediately that I would have to try and find this Tardis.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure (read <i>minor torture</i>!) of driving Miss Teen and her friend to see One Direction in concert. This was to be their first concert without adult supervision, so I brought Mr Moo along for the ride too. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a couple of days in Brisbane, exploring the city, we headed home. This Tardis was said to be on a property north west of Ballina, about 1/2 way between Brisbane and home. So we explored.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So off we went, down winding roads, in the middle of nowhere. Possibly getting lost, but all too excited to care. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After driving for about an hour. We stopped in this little town. The people in the pub stared that "you aren't from around here" stare, as we stretched our legs. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I couldn't get my keys out of the ignition. Then my car wouldn't start! Thankfully, the local mechanic was a lot more friendly and patient, as the reason they keys wouldn't come out and it wouldn't start was so silly, I should have known. My car needs to be in park in order for the keys to come out, and it needs to be running to put it into park, and it needs to be in park to start! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My car was in Drive still.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, while I was making a fool of myself, Miss Teen and friend asked around in the 2 or 3 little shops in this incredibly small main street about the Tardis. Eventually, the take away shop owner said "oh yeah, that Doctor who thing!" and had very good directions! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More driving down roads I probably shouldn't have been driving in my little sedan (definitely 4WD country this was!), but we made it! Guarded by a Dalek, was a life size, beautiful Tardis, in all its blue glory!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What followed was a lot of silliness as we all posed with our new discovered Tardis, and dreamed of it being REAL!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember once, not so long ago, that I would have never done this sort of impromptu exploring. I was always so rushed, in a hurry to get home, do chores, get to work, get home.....go go go.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slowly I am learning. Kids are only kids for a little while. All too soon they are grown up and ready to leave home. Sometimes its ok to stop the rushing, and just have fun. Be a bit silly. Explore. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Without breaking down. Or getting lost. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was just lots of fun! </span></div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-58628128322788089822015-02-21T11:01:00.000+11:002015-02-21T11:01:18.012+11:00The Solar System<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you follow my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MusingsOfAMuddledMum" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a> page, then you would know that recently I have become very interested in homeschooling my muddled kids!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miss Teen is already set up with Distance Education and is doing much better with her work in 2 weeks than she did all last year at school!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini Miss, watching Miss Teen do her work, wanted her own "school work", so I have reintroduced Activity Monday into our everyday lives. I am actively schooling her through craft, play, science experiments, tv shows, ipad apps and even YouTube videos. We also do worksheets when she insists on being just like her big sister! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am letting her lead the way to a degree, so when she started to show a big interest in the Solar System, I thought we should explore that interest further.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First we did some craft.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We made a name rocket, using <a href="http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.ca/2012/05/name-rocket-space-craft.html?m=1" target="_blank">THIS</a> original idea. This was great building the rocket, spelling out her name, gluing (one of her favourite things to do) and decorating it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we moved onto the Solar System. We watched some You Tube videos using these links from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/naturalbornhomeschooler/photos/a.741723839246955.1073741826.741711629248176/782841898468482/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">Natural born homeschoolers</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we built our own solar system. We talked about all the planets, their position in the solar system. We talked about the sun and how its a ball of gas and super hot. Mini Miss was just soaking it all up and asking lots of questions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then finally we finished off with some free craft time using printables from <a href="http://picklebums.com/2013/07/23/space-crazy/" target="_blank">Picklebums</a>. As Mini Miss pasted her cut outs, she told a little story to me about the astronaut taking the aliens space ship and how they worked out how to share. Very cute!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So our first experience with focusing on homeschooling = success. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you home school? </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you have solar system activities or videos that your kids love?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel free to share below!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-29786987875453602422015-01-15T21:29:00.001+11:002015-01-15T21:29:52.408+11:00I'm the Mum of THAT childYou know the child I mean. The one that runs wildly through the shopping centre, with no regard for other people. The child whose tantrum over the fact I've sat her in the trolley can be heard for miles. The child who seems unperturbed by her mother trying to keep calm and not cry while talking to her, trying her absolute best to control her and make her understand what she is doing, her behaviour, is simply not socially acceptable.<div><br></div><div>Yes, I said her. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">People look more, I think, because she's a girl. They pay more attention, stare. Normally THAT child is a boy, and a boy, well you can write their behaviour off. "Boys will be boys" "oh maybe he has autism or a behavioural issue". Apparently girls don't suffer from these things. They are automatically well behaved, they don't "get" autism or behavioural issues, they don't "suffer" from sensory processing difficulties. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Except when they do.</span></div><div><br></div><div>My little wild child. My Mini Miss. My princess who marches to her very own beat. My smart clever little girl who almost has a photographic memory. She is THAT child.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgdp-Cynmf2gRR6x93Wt7V_L8zDwxyEXa5YmVIzE5olPBeZkCkfT6Orkl_XeYcKkJtAX5Bjq-T3zd9XYpu8kA-Wn86uew9ZpvSYs8KzIJA7uJukSut8Xpx0-i_S1Ot4SuEVbxAECSTDg/s640/blogger-image--1805421230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgdp-Cynmf2gRR6x93Wt7V_L8zDwxyEXa5YmVIzE5olPBeZkCkfT6Orkl_XeYcKkJtAX5Bjq-T3zd9XYpu8kA-Wn86uew9ZpvSYs8KzIJA7uJukSut8Xpx0-i_S1Ot4SuEVbxAECSTDg/s640/blogger-image--1805421230.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Today I took the first step. I've known for a while she has difficulties. Today we got a referral to a pediatrician and I made the appointment immediately as I knew it would take time to get in to see him.</div><div> </div><div>➡️ She cannot tolerate loud noises and will cover her ears and curl up into a ball, squinting her eyes shut too, as if that will help further block it out. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">➡️ She hates you touching her head and the only way to brush her hair is to completely immerse her in something else so she barely notices. She also hates clothes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">➡️ She barely eats and will literally gag when food she doesn't know touches her mouth. Literally I can get her to eat Ham, Cheese slices, chicken nuggets, Vegemite sandwiches, and occasionally apples and strawberries. That is mainly what her diet consists of, with maybe 1-2 other things very occasionally. But never anything she hasn't had before. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">➡️ Don't attempt to make eye contact with her. She will simply roll her eyes in every other direction and if you try and force her, she simply closes her eyes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">➡️ Meltdowns occur over the littlest things, such as playing the Frozen soundtrack on random instead of "from the ice song, the first song", or not saying hello to the camels when we pass them in their paddock, and a major tantrum can last hours. And you can't comfort her, she will push you away and scream more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">➡️ Repetition. The same games over and over. The same song has to be listened to over and over and over again. If you change it....meltdown.</span></div><div>➡️ Knowledge rules her life, if we want that life to be calm. She wakes up each morning and asks "what's our day mummy?" Which means, what day is it and what are we doing. She needs that run down on what to expect. She knows what regular activities happen on what days. If those activities don't happen, there has to be a good reason. The first week after swimming went on break for summer holidays we had a meltdown as she "needed" to be at her lesson.</div><div><br></div><div>There is so much more, but you get the idea.</div><div><br></div><div>On the up side, she is so smart. At 3.5 we are doing pre reading and simple sight words. She can count to 20, and back down, she can count by 10's to 100. She knows all her shapes, including 3d shapes, and all her colours. She has a facination with Egypt and can rattle off facts about pyramids and mummies and the river Nile. She also LOVES space & learning about the planets, stars & moons.</div><div><br></div><div>So I am THAT mother of THAT child. I'm not sure if she has a medical or behavioural problem. If she has a sensory processing problem. Or if maybe, she's just one of a kind.</div><div><br></div><div>But I do know she doesn't react like other kids her age. She's not naughty, at least not on purpose (most of the time. She can be purposely defiant at times too, like your typical threenager!) When she does finally realise what she did was wrong, and sometimes it takes a LONG time for her to get it, she is so full of remorse, it's almost like a depression at times. </div><div><br></div><div>So the next time you see a mother with a "wild" toddler, one who seems out of control, stop and think. Does that mother look exhausted? Does she look like she is trying her utmost to control this little bundle of energy? Does her child look like he, or she, is behaving this way on purpose, to be naughty? Does that mother ther look like she loves her child even though they seem possessed? </div><div><br></div><div>Maybe don't be so quick to judge. Don't be so quick to say something nasty, or tell that mother about "back in your day". It's not helpful. Maybe instead try to feel some empathy. Give that mother a gentle understanding smile instead and go about your day. After all, this one interruption will only be a small part of it.</div><div><br></div><div>Chances are her child simply doesn't fit "the norm". And in a society where we are all taught a certain way, expected to act a certain way, when you don't fit the norm things are harder. Harder to teach, harder to fit in, harder to "control". It's not bad, it's not wrong, it's simply different. </div><div><br></div><div>And in a world where we are trying to be accepting and tolerant of others religious and cultural differences, just maybe we should offer this same tolerance to THAT mother and her child. </div><div><br></div><div>Chances are they are both doing the best they can.</div><div><br></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-59865477423749875062014-12-10T20:00:00.001+11:002014-12-10T20:00:49.704+11:00And it's back....Sometimes things can be going along fabulously. My emotions are stable, I'm coping with things, decisions about the future have been made and I am happy with them, the house is running smoothly, the kids are happy. My medication balance is perfect. I am genuinely happy.<div><br></div><div><b>BANG! </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Just like that the dark passenger (<i>yes, I do love some Dexter - thankfully though I'm not a serial killer</i>) that is my depression, my anxiety slams me. No reason. No rhyme. No cause. Just like that. </div><div><br></div><div>Suddenly EVERYTHING is harder. I feel like I'm moving through knee deep mud. I have to force my body to move. In my head it's like there's a thick fog, my thoughts are slow, I can't find the right words. I can't remember appointments, tasks, errands, to eat or drink. I write messages but forget to send them. I pick up the phone to call someone only to be overwhelmed with anxiety & then can't remember who I was calling. My emotions are like a roller coaster on steroids. One second I'm fine, the next I'm angry or crying. I can stand apart from myself and think "what the hell are you doing?!!" </div><div><br></div><div>But I can't stop it, I can't control it.</div><div><br></div><div>2 years ago I saw a behavioural psychologist. She taught me all these great techniques for handling emotions, mood swings, my dark passenger. Unfortunately most of the time they don't work. Why? Because they all work on the idea you can feel it coming, the darkness, the anxiety, the wave of uncontrollable emotion. </div><div><br></div><div>But I can't. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">They work on the premise that you can learn your triggers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But mine literally change every time. One thing that was fine yesterday will set me off today. The thing that set me off last week, that's fine now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I fight it, the darkness. I use her techniques whenever I can. I force myself through the mud and sludge of each day. I smile at the funny stuff, "im fine" is my motto. I take care of the kids, battle with the housework. I </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">hibernate & avoid people as much as I can because pretending is exhausting. I sleep. A lot. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I can feel the dark passenger pulling me down. I know I'm not at the bottom yet, but I don't know where the bottom is this time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And I hate it. I can see what it does to my family. I shut down all but the essential parts of myself. My kids don't have their full functioning mother, just the one that can tend to their needs one at a time. My husband has lost his wife replaced by this empty shell of a person. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And I'm scared. I'm scared this time it will be so far down, that I can't climb back out. That I will lose myself, my family, my friends. Forever this time.</span></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-28184705000044028512014-12-07T19:24:00.001+11:002014-12-07T19:24:27.724+11:00Life Captured - Day 7<i>What do you feel guilty about right now? </i><div><i><br></i></div><div>Wow. </div><div>This question is intense. </div><div>There are so many things I feel guilty about right now, who knows where to start. </div><div><br></div><div>Well, I guess with Mini Miss. She is struggling to adjust to having a little brother & sharing our attention with both her brother and sister. She is also going through the typical 3yr old struggle with independence v's still wanting to be the baby. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY_J13EQu_b-UiPLpDRXEwjHAu7Rp4oEUWTO5JAdY3Bz2OUSgN_VIZKBZFb5fwewYlUdCikZkHTjlmv2ZlPD3N9sy6MakeMXkOPwGcWgvXFbkf3Ck9d9BVcUGXr1_xKfOwS81YDXpyiE/s640/blogger-image--790205684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY_J13EQu_b-UiPLpDRXEwjHAu7Rp4oEUWTO5JAdY3Bz2OUSgN_VIZKBZFb5fwewYlUdCikZkHTjlmv2ZlPD3N9sy6MakeMXkOPwGcWgvXFbkf3Ck9d9BVcUGXr1_xKfOwS81YDXpyiE/s640/blogger-image--790205684.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Add into that mix 2 sleep deprived parents & 1 parent who has had a migraine for nearly 5 months and a chronic illness and yeah. We lose patience with her way too much. I yell, way too much. So does her Dad. </div><div>The result is an unhappy overly sensitive little girl, not all the time, but lately a lot. </div><div><br></div><div>So today I talked to her about it when we had some quiet time, just the 2 of us. She told me that we yell at her too much and sometimes we don't listen to her and sometimes she struggles to remember the "good" words she needs to say.</div><div><br></div><div>So I apologised for being too quick to yell and promised instead to listen better as long as she promised to listen and try and behave herself. And I promised I would talk to daddy about doing the same.</div><div><br></div><div>Still.....the guilt is heavy. Having one child with anxiety & depression already, the thought Mini Miss could head down that road too, as the result of my bad parenting.....the guilt and worry is crushing. </div><div><br></div><div>Some of the other things I feel guilty about at the moment? </div><div><br></div><div>That I don't give my friends, the people I love, enough of my time and support. I just cannot seem to juggle being the friend they deserve me to be & all my parenting responsibilities. I feel I am constantly letting them down and I'll be lucky if they still call me friend.</div><div><br></div><div>That I am failing as a SAHM because my house is constantly a mess, I rarely manage to cook dinner so hubby ends up doing it, that I don't as many activities with Mini Miss as I used to, that Mr Moo isn't getting enough developmental time, that I'm not pushing Miss Teen as much as I should be now she is home schooling....</div><div><br></div><div>That my husband carries the weight of providing financially all by himself. I've always contributed to helping with finances. In fact for a very long time I was completely independent financially, so I feel lazy not contributing.</div><div><br></div><div>That my mental illness is getting worse, not better, and that it doesn't just affect me. It affects my whole family. That I seem to be losing control, what little I had & I don't know what will happen next.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>There's more, but I do think that is enough for one blog post.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Things that made me smile today...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"># singing at church. I love being blessed to be able to lead our church family in worship once a month. It's when I feel closest to God. The joy it fills my heart with is complete. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"># having beautiful people who care for my children. Mini Miss came with me this morning and when she was upset and I couldn't help her, a lovely lady stepped up to comfort her. It's a blessing having such a loving church family happy to stop in when mum can't.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"># an impromptu afternoon swim with Mini Miss. Just the 2 of us, then Miss Teen joined us. It was divine. For an hour it was just us, having fun. I needed that. So did both my girls. </font></div><div><br></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-86106881272433757822014-12-06T13:02:00.001+11:002014-12-06T23:24:30.301+11:00Life Captured - Day 6<i>Name a song that triggers emotions from the past and describe those emotions.</i><div><i><br></i></div><div>This one is hard. I LOVE music. There is a song for every occasion in my life. So I'm going to do 2 songs, both which trigger very strong emotions.</div><div><br></div><div>First one is <b>Forever Young by Youth Group</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLRZzhuc7zrVqhgVW0Yk7UZ6JPJKFwT0Z7NyH_UXaxmfgeizwOIFI08vOOp-CUham_WxObnjsLG-26MhvWmEdK5qgB-6jJ_aYW8UT50O5UijGf_30FBt89qVpLZIJuEAiNDx-GUGvNFw/s640/blogger-image-1670164123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLRZzhuc7zrVqhgVW0Yk7UZ6JPJKFwT0Z7NyH_UXaxmfgeizwOIFI08vOOp-CUham_WxObnjsLG-26MhvWmEdK5qgB-6jJ_aYW8UT50O5UijGf_30FBt89qVpLZIJuEAiNDx-GUGvNFw/s640/blogger-image-1670164123.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://youtu.be/rQi8wEHMm5Y">http://youtu.be/rQi8wEHMm5Y</a></div><div><br></div><div>This is a sad one. It was the last song we played at my Mums funeral. She was only 56, it was released around the same time as her passing and she loved top 40 music, so it just seemed so fitting to play it. </div><div>This brings up the emotions of those first few months, the pain, the heartache, the overwhelming sense that she is gone. That's it. It brings up the sense finality, I never get to see her again, to feel her arms hug me, see her smile, look into her eyes & know what she is thinking, to hear her voice. Even 7 years later I tend to cry when it comes on the radio. It's a very intense song for me & usually when I hear it I've been thinking about mum more than usual, which I always think is her way of saying "I know darling". </div><div><br></div><div>The second song is <b>Butterfly Fly Away by Miley Cyrus.</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GYC6_TCAbAXoAIUzyrS-HB1LwG3lw1mWwyM2uiar7P8xL8LVqPFP6ffu9If9z3wlzHghMjF_eqFcsZpG17NGzhYcEve1ldFmOm0sZtEMeC2RnRGsBTKiH4cmAK7H7WZH41J9UpvMzsg/s640/blogger-image--666027911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GYC6_TCAbAXoAIUzyrS-HB1LwG3lw1mWwyM2uiar7P8xL8LVqPFP6ffu9If9z3wlzHghMjF_eqFcsZpG17NGzhYcEve1ldFmOm0sZtEMeC2RnRGsBTKiH4cmAK7H7WZH41J9UpvMzsg/s640/blogger-image--666027911.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://youtu.be/hl_TCt9wtNE">http://youtu.be/hl_TCt9wtNE</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This brings up the time before I met Muddled Hubby, when I was a single parent. It's was just me and Miss Teen for 9 years. It was hard, it was beautiful, it was fun, it was filled with love and good times. Miss Teen and I have a very close bond because of that time (think Gilmore Girls!). She has always been full of big big dreams & when she was buzzing from excitement or upset and couldn't sleep I would sing her the chorus. There is plenty of time to fly away kiddo, just hold on tight for now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3 things that made me smile today...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># waking up with both my babies in my bed after a wet accident in the middle of the night. Giggly fun times in bed are the best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># watching Miss Teen & her friend record themselves baking a cake so they can put it on YouTube. Teenagers are funny!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># spending time socialising at our ladies Christmas party at church. Such a beautiful inspiring amazing bunch of women I am blessed to have in my life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What made you smile today? </div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-34650759416225691762014-12-05T19:22:00.001+11:002014-12-05T19:22:51.086+11:00Life Captured - Day 5<div><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">What can you see from your kitchen window? </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>This is my kitchen window</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzw3HaiZTLQQypG6ZWBtFrhYhXUl14Mk4WoBGbacnCBDbY2sUFyAxbE4y8V7gJl-2ap0gWIKFA49BIApADSWHC0Tf-iEEeRXZNBsziVRH_bmzIARQmefXCbnfYrsGO4HggaGz1-IKw6I/s640/blogger-image--1612054854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzw3HaiZTLQQypG6ZWBtFrhYhXUl14Mk4WoBGbacnCBDbY2sUFyAxbE4y8V7gJl-2ap0gWIKFA49BIApADSWHC0Tf-iEEeRXZNBsziVRH_bmzIARQmefXCbnfYrsGO4HggaGz1-IKw6I/s640/blogger-image--1612054854.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not much of a window huh?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But, when my husbands car isn't parked under the patio (thank you summer storms!....no really, thank you!), here is what I can see</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPy95rkpYZBMTJKt8KXeaId1VlQ3sVx-05RcaEfdHrKAZdoBqu_FQBTVjr6A5xz0XDROMWZUIKv0xaTgj8_O08r9rf9vZNollYs03pZbxHbOY7UYUaBGW1JGdoGM6isu86wbA0tZvm2g/s640/blogger-image--1215841133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPy95rkpYZBMTJKt8KXeaId1VlQ3sVx-05RcaEfdHrKAZdoBqu_FQBTVjr6A5xz0XDROMWZUIKv0xaTgj8_O08r9rf9vZNollYs03pZbxHbOY7UYUaBGW1JGdoGM6isu86wbA0tZvm2g/s640/blogger-image--1215841133.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Take out the car & this is our covered patio & a bit of the pool. This is where Mini Miss plays in her paddle pool, or with her pirate ship. This is where we do messy crafts & painting. This is where I lay down a blanket for Mr Moo so he can enjoy tummy time & rolling around outside. This is where we have BBQs with friends and family, set up the folding table & watch the older kids play in the pool. As far as outside goes, this is our hub of activity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfJ63LQDdKR_h7jg1kCCEh6XAhZelsUDolcZlaa9v1cMzrkyRIVAzHeNO72tCRdf5nLXS79yQKB6Wt2RzG1XZH73eCT19n_XC608UEoA3gZz_kEzYqnTzdS9nb0GLa-RlecajcBs92ZQ/s640/blogger-image-2100231498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfJ63LQDdKR_h7jg1kCCEh6XAhZelsUDolcZlaa9v1cMzrkyRIVAzHeNO72tCRdf5nLXS79yQKB6Wt2RzG1XZH73eCT19n_XC608UEoA3gZz_kEzYqnTzdS9nb0GLa-RlecajcBs92ZQ/s640/blogger-image-2100231498.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Look past the patio & you see our backyard. Inside the fence is getting ready to undergo a makeover. Then you can see out to the creek, amongst the tree line, which is where the edge of our property is. It is green, it is natural, it is beautiful. We are blessed to be able to raise our children here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What can you see from your kitchen? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3 things that made me smile today....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># Dropping Mini Miss & Mr Moo at daycare this morning. Not for why you might think. Yes, I enjoy my "child free" time, but I love the way Mini Miss runs to her daycare teacher for a cuddle & the way Mr Moo smiles at his carer & happily plays with the other little ones in the nursery. It's reassuring to know my kids love their daycare & the people in it. And I love that I can clean my house properly without interruption! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># My clean house. Yep, sad but true. I feel like I have done a good job when I have a clean house. I feel more in control. Mess & clutter mess with my PND & make it hard for me to do anything, it's overwhelming & crippling. So my Friday mornings I spend cleaning & give my house a good once over!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># Sitting down in the complete peace and quiet of a child free home with a hot cup of coffee & some trashy insignificant tv. I can shut my brain down & just relax. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What made you smile today? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Share it with me below or on my Facebook page! </div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-29704149608551155622014-12-05T15:32:00.001+11:002014-12-05T15:32:55.602+11:00Life Captured - Day 5<i>What's the last thing you do at night?</i><div><i><br></i></div><div>Once the kids are finally asleep, we, hubby & I get the kitchen tidied, bottles made for overnight & then I just collapse. It's a rare day that I'm not in bed by 9.30pm.</div><div><br></div><div>Once in bed, I do what most people do these days....grab my smart phone & check my social media....</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQNlSmZPArhap-u-nHid-wexff6StVzHhjG31ULp4f0n13NcnnJl7yCwc-TX0xl0yBBxaNeKrM2cn_12g74arLnCFLzKlnyUxKH0ihbYGVHLRxSRB_zwFz4M7zIS8c8yYTpwr02bUMOA/s640/blogger-image--124095184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQNlSmZPArhap-u-nHid-wexff6StVzHhjG31ULp4f0n13NcnnJl7yCwc-TX0xl0yBBxaNeKrM2cn_12g74arLnCFLzKlnyUxKH0ihbYGVHLRxSRB_zwFz4M7zIS8c8yYTpwr02bUMOA/s640/blogger-image--124095184.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Facebook, Instagram & my Blogs Facebook Page. I quickly answer messages or/and comments & then mindlessly scroll. Hubby usually does the same & we share funny or shocking things. Then, once Mr Moo has his last bottle around 10-10.30, it's time to just sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Things that made me smile today</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># watching Mini Miss at playgroup. Normally she is very all over the place, flitting from one activity to another. Today she sat & played with Playdough for about 40mins & was happy to play with & chat to whoever joined he</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># Fargo trying to eat my cereal. Never had a cat so insistent, climbing on my lap, onto my shoulder, trying to get at my cereal bowl. I let him drink the milk...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPTH5s9wibtvxRULYxeL-FSnQYy7C6xRP6pudhf3KosXWD1VI4JG5yMR-iDDQrAx1juueC6gouV_M_Gnzbn3Hv56nvmlpRSVrojjz_2fK6dRujRQlpvDw3SaP00tiY-wwpbu_Lbhd5KM/s640/blogger-image-1370473950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPTH5s9wibtvxRULYxeL-FSnQYy7C6xRP6pudhf3KosXWD1VI4JG5yMR-iDDQrAx1juueC6gouV_M_Gnzbn3Hv56nvmlpRSVrojjz_2fK6dRujRQlpvDw3SaP00tiY-wwpbu_Lbhd5KM/s640/blogger-image-1370473950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># Finally late night cuddles with Mr Moo. He snuggles in so close & instantly relaxs. It warms my heart every time</div><br></div><br></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-48686088598356130382014-12-03T23:29:00.001+11:002014-12-03T23:29:57.497+11:00Captured Life - Day 3<i>What's the first thing you do in the morning? </i><div><i><br></i></div><div>At the moment I am blessed to be a stay at home mum. So mornings for us usually start slowly. Laying in bed with Mr Moo, Mini Miss will wander in, hop up & lay on daddy's pillow (he leaves early). Sometimes we chat, sometimes she watches the iPad. We stay this way until someone gets hungry.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdP3yHYARyvlmYixiaaRMtOKjMd6jiMLJkZ2DD1w4QSYaarhjY0daz72Y4iCVvKnW1kEU6XH_Qs49c5nrWwMsklwP50WVHof45oePP3vob0FxNDwnGoDZoLj74DzFethlBsV7U-qQxFA/s640/blogger-image-1396740254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdP3yHYARyvlmYixiaaRMtOKjMd6jiMLJkZ2DD1w4QSYaarhjY0daz72Y4iCVvKnW1kEU6XH_Qs49c5nrWwMsklwP50WVHof45oePP3vob0FxNDwnGoDZoLj74DzFethlBsV7U-qQxFA/s640/blogger-image-1396740254.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Things that made me smile today </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># Doing christmas craft with Mini Miss, talking about christmas and designs, just listening to her imagination.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJJTncViF70nYRTLhi__B_uMsTfkdnAmz50iQUvO4a0o3q4IfpKONL3BxYiO-DMZnWntdjHqDfvzF3bnI8P6guln10crCeztFhFPIG-AR997tjMrLt6Om6vZs-JIuEQPmtK3YUxD8qck/s640/blogger-image--1620434693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJJTncViF70nYRTLhi__B_uMsTfkdnAmz50iQUvO4a0o3q4IfpKONL3BxYiO-DMZnWntdjHqDfvzF3bnI8P6guln10crCeztFhFPIG-AR997tjMrLt6Om6vZs-JIuEQPmtK3YUxD8qck/s640/blogger-image--1620434693.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># Watching our little kitten Fargo fitting in at home. Lucy has taken him under her wing & mothers him, even letting him suckle & cleaning him. And watching him get used to our gentle Jasper, realising he has no intention of hurting him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># Laying here right now, with a wide awake & very chatty Mr Moo. Watching him practising a new skill (swapping his dummy from one hand to the other an back again) & then watching me clap & try to copy. His face awash with concentration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hope your day was just as amazing ❤️</div><br></div><br></div> </div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-49719943414468673642014-12-02T21:38:00.001+11:002014-12-02T21:38:49.194+11:00Capture Life - Day 2<i>Which is your favourite chair in the house & why?</i><div><i><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4gJT64Err5Tt2DrD5-vLutw1z915pnm-q7qDv-LXOeJbqCI90BIP2rF71Fs4yl9ubIZRlKni55yA-vj1SHPjRRfdVS_vJfncF2A0Yd5QkKJEHCVpEXjRRnBAr2g8TvUJJoEvY00WTKs/s640/blogger-image--2099230411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4gJT64Err5Tt2DrD5-vLutw1z915pnm-q7qDv-LXOeJbqCI90BIP2rF71Fs4yl9ubIZRlKni55yA-vj1SHPjRRfdVS_vJfncF2A0Yd5QkKJEHCVpEXjRRnBAr2g8TvUJJoEvY00WTKs/s640/blogger-image--2099230411.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our lounge is my favourite spot. For sitting it has the perfect view of the tv, has the lamp for reading, the nice wide arm to hold the all important coffee cup. If I'm laying then this lounge is the perfect nap place. Warm & comfy, right under the air con of its hot. Perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now I feel a bit like Sheldon 😃</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And today's moments to remember </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># laying in bed with my beautiful boy as I was feeling awful. His smiles & placid nature made me smile despite my migraine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLweHEXQHQ0FVbbD_loAYBmgleJydRHtPJojSQZKC477bmsjv84ZtjOQ5tCF7RSDSJgCS02iv62e6OoothFhCuhXL6UaYKv50vk4-mTE2ZqVD2nv8T-O1w9-5peWlhLGItsaeAcx8bhg/s640/blogger-image--1883676985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLweHEXQHQ0FVbbD_loAYBmgleJydRHtPJojSQZKC477bmsjv84ZtjOQ5tCF7RSDSJgCS02iv62e6OoothFhCuhXL6UaYKv50vk4-mTE2ZqVD2nv8T-O1w9-5peWlhLGItsaeAcx8bhg/s640/blogger-image--1883676985.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># Worship practice tonight. I always come home feeling lighter, happier, when I have been in our church, when I have sung praise, even if it's more relaxed & casual, God knows I always sing from my heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"># My family working together on our property today to clean things up. All hands on deck from my Dad to Mini Miss & our foreman Mr Moo! Even our dog Jasper was into the clearing! Doing things as a family, even hot sweaty hard work makes me smile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How was your day? Do you have a special chair in your house? A special memory that makes you smile today? </div><br></div><br></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-15129571781777336902014-12-02T16:53:00.001+11:002014-12-02T16:53:41.036+11:00Life Captured - Day 1<i>Describe a moment from today you want to remember always.</i><div><i><br></i></div><div>At this time of year, life is fast paced. Everything is rushed, stress levels are high. All for good reason. You want your family to have the best christmas possible. In all that, it's easy to forget to appreciate the little things, the moments that made you smile. I saw this challenge going around the blogging community and decided to play along for December. A short quick post, maybe with a picture if it's captured, of a moment that made me smile, a positive. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Something to remember. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So here it goes....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"># Coffee with a beautiful friend who I love. We have only been friends a couple of months, but already she has made a big impact on my life & I can tell she is a "forever friend"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"># managing to shop with both little people without a tantrum or any real crying & they even stayed in the trolley. A pure miracle & a blissful (rare) shopping experience! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"># 3am smiles from Mr Moo, who wanted to have a conversation rather than sleep. Even though I was exhausted, his little face always makes me smile.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlK-U7AtQh_0gSZTCW-9xAwfmYEXSAmIWrY7TUP0-i0wO9jpeuXtedL_khkWLwKKvT1sMUG15UaJGa3lW8PhPsSwohBHRL5LqR3jvw9BcKtWoufX6psThJ6m7iU7vmwFhyphenhyphenOwFjry1_hk/s640/blogger-image-874751003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlK-U7AtQh_0gSZTCW-9xAwfmYEXSAmIWrY7TUP0-i0wO9jpeuXtedL_khkWLwKKvT1sMUG15UaJGa3lW8PhPsSwohBHRL5LqR3jvw9BcKtWoufX6psThJ6m7iU7vmwFhyphenhyphenOwFjry1_hk/s640/blogger-image-874751003.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So what do say? Would you like to join me? Even just once a week, share a moment that made you smile. Leave a comment here or on my Facebook page. I'd love to hear your stories.</div><br></span></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-40342953401073463102014-11-20T14:16:00.004+11:002014-11-22T14:54:57.525+11:00A Little Bit of Christmas Love Giveaway<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soooooo.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are following me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MusingsOfAMuddledMum?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://instagram.com/muddledmum" target="_blank">Instagram</a> then you will already be aware I am VERY excited for Christmas!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just LOVE the anticipation, the build up as my kids (including the Big Man Kid) try to guess what they are getting, while they count down the days. Watching the excitement build as shops fill with decorations, Santa arrives at shopping centres, telling Santa what we want.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then Christmas morning....the closeness, the casual comfortable air of happiness and excitement as wrapping paper piles up....</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yeah, I LOVE it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so I want to share my love of Christmas by giving a lucky reader, or 2, the chance to get a present from me!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kuMnX4fpgQC0Sg12h3CglCvz4oIydqJLkyaegZNLjwHBmHyhNxXyLmeiXuOfTdy0uh81GhyphenhyphenD29VDYtDmxOBUHiYTG-bTp9ge0WmJiXe0dEZfsXHRK-FJNAyvensByRLn_Ogl0DbtDGU/s1600/comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kuMnX4fpgQC0Sg12h3CglCvz4oIydqJLkyaegZNLjwHBmHyhNxXyLmeiXuOfTdy0uh81GhyphenhyphenD29VDYtDmxOBUHiYTG-bTp9ge0WmJiXe0dEZfsXHRK-FJNAyvensByRLn_Ogl0DbtDGU/s1600/comp.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I LOVE the <a href="http://www.thebikinicookbook.com/" target="_blank">Bikini Cookbooks</a>. They are the books I use to menu plan each week. Each meal is around 300 calories per serve, making it perfect for losing weight or just some serious healthy eating. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Michelle often shares sample recipes on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bikini-Cookbook/281452635229862?sk=timeline" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a>, so its worth heading over and having a look there too!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, to share my love of these books, I have not 1 but 2 to give away! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Snack book has to be one of my favourite to date, with loads of snack ideas, both savoury and sweet. There are lots of finger food ideas for parties or kids afternoon snacks. And so, with Michelles approval, I am giving 2 of these books away!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So all you have to do is....</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b>Follow</b> or subscribe my blog if you don't already. I am hoping to boost my numbers in the new year. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It has been pretty quiet this year, but I am hoping to have weekly posts on things like kids activities, weight loss motivation, PND, dealing with depression & anxiety, and my general observations of motherhood. Hopefully a few laughs as well as a few tears along the way. Also, more giveaways!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <b>Like</b> my facebook page. This is my main source of communication, where I do actually post daily! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <b>Share</b> my competition with your friends.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thats it. Simple.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>COMPETITION RUNS FROM 2.30PM 20/11/2014 - 8PM 30/11/2014.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Please note. This is NOT a paid giveaway. I bought these books and asked permission from Michelle to give them away. Nor is this competition connected to Facebook in any way)</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">UPDATE: <span style="font-weight: normal;">You can now also enter via Instagram. Go to my Muddled Mum instagram account, share the post & tag me in the share to go in the draw. </span></span></i></span></h3>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-61420972859015114942014-10-03T14:04:00.001+10:002014-10-03T14:04:25.262+10:00My Bullet Journal Journey....so far....<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After hearing so much Hype on various other Mum blogger facebook pages about this "Bullet Journalling", I thought I should give it a go.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't have any idea what a Bullet Journal is? Check out the <a href="http://bulletjournal.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> or this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfRf43JTqY4" target="_blank">VIDEO</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The basic idea is that you use a journal to record your everyday events, similar to a diary, but with the flexibility to add the things YOU need, with plenty of room to write up whatever it is you need to add. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess you could say its a planner and basic journal all in one.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do have a smart phone, and no doubt there are hundreds of apps out there for this exact purpose, however, when it comes to this sort of thing, having it on actual paper, the actual act of sitting down and planning out my week, and then recording my day, on paper, helps to not only cement in my head what is happening, but helps me focus.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bought a simple journal from Officeworks (<a href="http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/j-burrows-medium-coloured-journal-purple-jbmcj240pe?searchTerm=journal" target="_blank">THIS</a> is the journal I chose). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOOpbbgXAomuUCSegPvv8xeUb_A7FS1FjhRX8A5HzCBL-nUbT6OpaoOzeVvNj4hicA1U2YPyXb-fzYaifNXvTNsEwCxApP6WwkBoGKXdomjfmHxjAWczl-910KHQv0SbMSzl5P7lSeWA/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOOpbbgXAomuUCSegPvv8xeUb_A7FS1FjhRX8A5HzCBL-nUbT6OpaoOzeVvNj4hicA1U2YPyXb-fzYaifNXvTNsEwCxApP6WwkBoGKXdomjfmHxjAWczl-910KHQv0SbMSzl5P7lSeWA/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted something nice looking, small enough to carry with me, and relatively inexpensive, at least while I trialed the system. Now I know it works well for me, when I need to get a new journal, I may spend a little more and get an even nicer one! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The basic bullet system doesn't use colour, but I find the use of colour motivating, helps me focus and see instantly what is important. So I use a 4 colour pen, keeping the most important things in red, next most important in green, then daily tasks, regular appointments etc in black or blue. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the important parts of bullet journal is the BULLETS, using symbols to signify what the task/appointment/note is for. These you can personalise to your own use. These are mine at the moment, although I am still refining my journal. Once finalised, this will be stuck to the inside page of my journal as a reference.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyDmoOrDRS2uXbgQBt5MBPNHz4oc5MtuVHjxjpTBnRJMLsqaH7XZPL50geI2d2cGJGZWVO5o3CpUolbvDjFkNQxflMYiJAixuGb_q3J5Vzc_N6R6z1qAWmv4AE0rep0wC-3kxCDatxkE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyDmoOrDRS2uXbgQBt5MBPNHz4oc5MtuVHjxjpTBnRJMLsqaH7XZPL50geI2d2cGJGZWVO5o3CpUolbvDjFkNQxflMYiJAixuGb_q3J5Vzc_N6R6z1qAWmv4AE0rep0wC-3kxCDatxkE/s1600/photo.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there is a Index Page. This helps you to find certain information if you need to go back over something. I number each page as I go, so if I do a major stuff up, I can rip that page out and start again! Eventually, at the end of my diary, I will have simple reference lists such as birthdays and anniversaries, long term goals, renovation ideas, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next in my journal is my 2 of my most important lists, daily and weekly tasks. As a stay at home mum with 3 kids, husband and my Dad all living under the same roof, organisation is important, so these 2 lists are part of my everyday.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCNcRso6KJcvqG0KOuBWJwvYUbhrG0A3nVNGM0elSzimeB1CJfJvM8Jsc5ZyttOKwZ8G6SCqD_QAbrfWmkjjavWVtaN5KniIsZV6CAMSOqb7rDcOEr7hAUgbpT3gEVe0QOT-TXsKVq8o/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCNcRso6KJcvqG0KOuBWJwvYUbhrG0A3nVNGM0elSzimeB1CJfJvM8Jsc5ZyttOKwZ8G6SCqD_QAbrfWmkjjavWVtaN5KniIsZV6CAMSOqb7rDcOEr7hAUgbpT3gEVe0QOT-TXsKVq8o/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then comes your monthly planner. I have a little calendar at the front of each month, where I can write in appointments, birthdays, etc for the whole month. Then on the opposite page I have a monthly To Do List. This list is bigger tasks that I want to accomplish this month. As September was my spring cleaning month (post on that to come!) a lot of my tasks for September were de cluttering type tasks.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_CTWyVcO0HlIdSOO1Py1_MnczBRXC_GZIAZbNuRCO7ynQs8JTCtBho4ATCX5VTwAE74XYl7HaHkh4gEV0b6UwWropu_BxhfwJE2gChMPw3TPZd71_KEG6w2634g2Bfa-iRNy8-rzB0M/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_CTWyVcO0HlIdSOO1Py1_MnczBRXC_GZIAZbNuRCO7ynQs8JTCtBho4ATCX5VTwAE74XYl7HaHkh4gEV0b6UwWropu_BxhfwJE2gChMPw3TPZd71_KEG6w2634g2Bfa-iRNy8-rzB0M/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-wBa-HF7n6MMUsrsT2m-_gbloE7_rvoY7b8ar0Sy02QunAIHwxUSoaybfV0G45zEKguqxZhEA3HMaxZhSon1RCyjLPa5yMUHSPbwDonnup-S60SmAcIIXwholTy3qSFFM3D4onLMqBc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-wBa-HF7n6MMUsrsT2m-_gbloE7_rvoY7b8ar0Sy02QunAIHwxUSoaybfV0G45zEKguqxZhEA3HMaxZhSon1RCyjLPa5yMUHSPbwDonnup-S60SmAcIIXwholTy3qSFFM3D4onLMqBc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the next section, I have trialed a few different ways, but the one I have settled on works well for me. Basically, the idea is to have a daily journal, something like a quick fire reference of each day. Whether its a page long, or just a couple of lines, then when that day is done you rule off and start the next day. The problem I found with this is I like to plan my whole week on a Sunday night, so I had to section, put a reasonable space limit on each day so I could map out my whole week. This, in the end, is what works well for me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_vnIOzF4miOYgLLcnvGDNLm7_8XdtZVtUSFCy6KuoPupjdHpX3C0ZMf8HA1rmxqz9hohMWBS7fUHCiqDlqY_wHPK-7WGgO9N9hABz212v0icKF1plLwUm-1fny1Aa-wGHe63JtLQAOc/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_vnIOzF4miOYgLLcnvGDNLm7_8XdtZVtUSFCy6KuoPupjdHpX3C0ZMf8HA1rmxqz9hohMWBS7fUHCiqDlqY_wHPK-7WGgO9N9hABz212v0icKF1plLwUm-1fny1Aa-wGHe63JtLQAOc/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 days to a page, with plenty of room for planned things, then a quick summary of each day, things I may have done that I didn't plan, a summary of the day. There are plenty of ways you can do this daily part. Check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/muddledmum/bullet-journaling/" target="_blank">Pinterest Board</a> to search other bloggers ideas. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I plan on adding to this journal as time goes on. I want to have a menu planner included in it, rather than having it as a separate document. I also want to include a symptom tracker, so I can track the progress of my disease and the symptoms it presents. This will be useful to show my specialists in the future. They will be able to see not only the symptoms, but how busy or quiet my day has been, and eventually even maybe a food diary, so we can see if any foods cause a flare of certain symptoms. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, after a month of using this system, what do I think?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I chose to do this last week without filling out the journal, just to see how I managed and have to say, with all honesty, that I am much more organised, focused and on task using the diary. The process of sitting down for 30 mins on a Sunday planning my week, then for 5-10 mins each night to fill in what wasn't planned but did get done, really helps me be more organised. I love that there is so much flexibility in this system. Just take the basic idea and make it work for you. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will keep refining, and after Christmas, I will again review it. I will see if I am still sticking with it, or if the wheels fell off, and if so, how I have managed to stay on top of everything (if, in fact, I have managed to stay on top!).</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also have a bit of an idea on how to get our weekly menus, a food diary and a symptom tracker all organised and connected, and will give it a go, using my Christmas planner. Being such a big time of year, and big financial burden, and a major social and family time, I want to be prepared, and so I am following <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrganisedHomeChallenges?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Organised Home Challenges</a> and getting all the tips and ideas on how to prepare for the big day! Check out their page and give that thumbs up a click! One of many pages I use as inspiration.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do you organise your family, you house and your life? Do you have a fail proof method, a tried and tested method? Please, feel free to share it in the comments below! I am always looking for ways to improve and save time! </span>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-35859909638916792842014-09-26T22:46:00.002+10:002014-09-26T22:48:15.884+10:00Dinosaur Fun - <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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a brilliant Dinosaurs Alive display. The dinosaurs move and make noise. Its a
treasure trove of fun for the toddler and preschooler alike! There is
information on each one on display, which I must read over and over, and the
best bit for Mini Miss? There are foot prints all over the shopping centre
leading to each display! She is so focused on these foot prints every time we
go, much to the annoyance of some older, less interested shoppers (</span><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">to them I now say, get a life, she is 3!!</span></i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">). </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqRkxcRmubWeybZsDbgPDUPTnzsMGtddMU5JpGQRUf7Ze1JqLLePjAeEvggJ1kbMYVuwnGWNah9NdAHXSxmfwNlY7urvVdMNPAlH0wGnWvPnEpCAKdXepIBql106haXxHU_oBUKCRGuE/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqRkxcRmubWeybZsDbgPDUPTnzsMGtddMU5JpGQRUf7Ze1JqLLePjAeEvggJ1kbMYVuwnGWNah9NdAHXSxmfwNlY7urvVdMNPAlH0wGnWvPnEpCAKdXepIBql106haXxHU_oBUKCRGuE/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich8E2yS5oK6-Y4CqBy0izUenTwc4t0zIuZZxy-DucHKWzgLV-uccms7opjHvbHXw5CI36b-NkeuWxkpyFYft-Z1jN7DLvTNPXA-LWlh17KEjqP3ezLkQ5-W2sc6z-TksG9jUxV4iGK6M/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich8E2yS5oK6-Y4CqBy0izUenTwc4t0zIuZZxy-DucHKWzgLV-uccms7opjHvbHXw5CI36b-NkeuWxkpyFYft-Z1jN7DLvTNPXA-LWlh17KEjqP3ezLkQ5-W2sc6z-TksG9jUxV4iGK6M/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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been OBSESSED with dinosaurs! No, these obsessions are not confined to
boys! </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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and as always, altered it a bit to make it more fun and more personal for my
Mini Miss.... We built..... </span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: x-large;">Dinosaur World!!</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4qtVdtRQLQgZYKX0lU4KIYgjC0ohggPQPuPyLIV5ld4XKtLujUi6XsTqHuvrSTQtzy4pk2jLKxn3vuAPP5uAskCvmRdxtp41-UOBwNx1KpsO_db25PYZshprJv270kBJBo8kElzv2X4/s1600/Dinoworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4qtVdtRQLQgZYKX0lU4KIYgjC0ohggPQPuPyLIV5ld4XKtLujUi6XsTqHuvrSTQtzy4pk2jLKxn3vuAPP5uAskCvmRdxtp41-UOBwNx1KpsO_db25PYZshprJv270kBJBo8kElzv2X4/s1600/Dinoworld.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I bought a Kitty Litter tray from our
local Dollar Tree for $3. Yes, that sounds gross, but I promise Miss Lucy is
not allowed to use it! They are great for containing messy crafts, science
experiments, and other fun stuff. You will see the 2 I bought starring in a lot
of the science and messy craft Mini Miss gets to do! </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">To do the landscape, I filled the tray
with Baking Soda, which acted as the sand. I made a Bubbly Blue Lagoon using
Vinegar with blue food colouring. I decorated with plastic trees and rocks.
Then, The Piece de Resistance, The Erupting Volcano. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I made the outside of the Volcano using
our favourite home made Playdough recipe. (</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;">find it </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.kidspot.com.au/kids-activities-and-games/craft-activities+1/no-cook-play-dough-recipe+11330.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a></span></i></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">). To make it more interesting I mixed granulated coffee (</span><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I know, it seems like a waste, but it was cheap coffee & it really
did make a difference</span></i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">) into the mix to give it the brown
colour, but also a bit of texture. Inside the Volcano was a plastic cup with a
water/vinegar/dish soap mix coloured with red food colouring. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Finally I added some dinosaurs and the
masterpiece was set & placed outside (</span><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">a
great place for messy play, I highly recommend it!</span></i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">) </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvgV0U7l3ZbfDReugkaGNi_6kYNrE-vrxZ_hkk-FDSld37sd7Igr_Ujb6Fl2GAkUlt9iNsO2L_AvPPq609u00Bz7pIodgO9Fv27An_MiPoXWekfVaSr8TYaNaCYbrmCLF97-r8JsFiSA/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvgV0U7l3ZbfDReugkaGNi_6kYNrE-vrxZ_hkk-FDSld37sd7Igr_Ujb6Fl2GAkUlt9iNsO2L_AvPPq609u00Bz7pIodgO9Fv27An_MiPoXWekfVaSr8TYaNaCYbrmCLF97-r8JsFiSA/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apparently, from this photo, they were all headed to the Bubbly Lagoon!</td></tr>
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a ball with this. She loved the Bubbly Lagoon and although I missed taking a
photo of the Volcano as I was supervising its eruption, she loved it! It oozed
red bubbles everywhere. Lots of mess was made.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Of course, once all the contained bubbly
fun was had, she got into the Making Mess part. This is more just fun than
science, although there is colour mixing, more chemical reactions...you get the
idea, but basically, its like playing with colourful mud! </span></div>
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messy play was had! This involved measuring and pouring, scooping and loads
more wet gooey mess seeing as I had been busy with Mr Moo and hadn't got around
to hosing it all away.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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this day!! </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For ALL outdoor messy crafts I keep 2 things
nearby. A bucket of soapy water and an old towel. That way the mess does
not make its way into my house!</span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spend time talking about why the vinegar and
bicarb when mixed together bubble up.</span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Encourage your child to think about what the
world was like when there were dinosaurs, what was the land like? Were
there people? Where did all the dinosaurs go? What about Volcanoes? What
makes them erupt? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">If they have questions you don't know
the answer to, I find honesty the best policy. I am not all knowing, but I do
know how to find out and I love to show my kids how to use the tools they have
to find out more. Mini Miss is already learning the value of Google. Investigating together is great fun and it teaches such valuable skills like
researching, making sense of the information they find, and coming to your own
conclusion with the information you have found. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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messy and have fun with your kids! Play is such an important part of learning
at this age! </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-45789261863500668372014-09-16T20:58:00.001+10:002014-09-16T20:58:19.893+10:00Rainbow Rice<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Muddled Mummy has been rather busy lately, and to say Mini Miss has been misbehaving as a result would be an understatement.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's like, at times, like she has been possessed by a Poltergeist, a mischievous, very naughty, attention seeking monster! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, rather than spend all my time constantly berating her, putting her in time out, and generally making one miserable little girl and equally miserable mummy, we have reinstated the "Activity Monday". </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Activity Monday came about when I was working 3-4 days a week as a way to educate, entertain, extend and most importantly, spend time with Mini Miss. It was on a Monday, as that was my set day off! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now its just Activity day. The benefits of being a SAHM mean I can do more activities more often, as long as Mr Moo is behaving himself! I can REDIRECT her energy, her need for attention into something positive for both of us, rather than being constantly frustrated by her behaviour. This gives her the time and attention she wants in a positive way, and so far, so good, its reducing the negative behaviour!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yep, its hard. It requires planning. It means letting some things go in the house until the days she is at daycare. That is hard for me. Its meant a reshuffle. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But its so worth it!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here is our first Activity....</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Coloured Rice</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpGbHvs8ztdIGUQQUqHpMh-tY1ajuiVQmZ6v4NlslGKkLRCCbt9eS4BQO7kmZF_hXkQG0fb_iHVoCDffCBv_gFu6kH8ydYSMC0Q-ft3vXP44rngLQr8nAu90KasIKZstFRBOQBfKQvFk/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpGbHvs8ztdIGUQQUqHpMh-tY1ajuiVQmZ6v4NlslGKkLRCCbt9eS4BQO7kmZF_hXkQG0fb_iHVoCDffCBv_gFu6kH8ydYSMC0Q-ft3vXP44rngLQr8nAu90KasIKZstFRBOQBfKQvFk/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Materials Needed:</span></h4>
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<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Long grain rice (we used a 1kg bag)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food dye</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hand sanitiser</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ziplock plastic bags</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A container to put it in</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kitchen utensils to pour, measure, mix etc</span></li>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The How To:</span></h4>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Separate the rice into the bags. We had 7 bags and I used scales to make them fairly even. No need to be that sad and precise, thats just me lol!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qmiRto98Up8FvhgqKEr7xNYAI7g7Qm2hxMPVPil9eI7UchOTuyEeQWXrBCVNOLMjk4HCQ_csZSC8Nct9KKvHHSpc6Pz346xltcXpB6EQhjr6HOtNOj-0o21MRHNm8BIyHxvPMrbT3Zo/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qmiRto98Up8FvhgqKEr7xNYAI7g7Qm2hxMPVPil9eI7UchOTuyEeQWXrBCVNOLMjk4HCQ_csZSC8Nct9KKvHHSpc6Pz346xltcXpB6EQhjr6HOtNOj-0o21MRHNm8BIyHxvPMrbT3Zo/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" height="282" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Add food colouring to each bag, I used about 20-25 drops of each colour to get a nice vibrant colour, add a big dolop (</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>yes, that is a measurement!</i></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) of hand sanitiser and seal the bag. The hand sanitiser helps spread the colour and seal it into the rice grains.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. The first fun part for Mini Miss was mixing the colour in the bag so that it coated each grain of rice!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnvn23u8XZZIWUzVWeyKsS0tulBZWQo2HhcUKXFVqzXpOFSyiP1z_DuFfnA0oeJBi7mEuqbNGrrKjT9vUalYHQZ_SJIr367hPgZ6bRJtNC4BQa8p6edjGmzYnUqa0PKImbgPyObVE084/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnvn23u8XZZIWUzVWeyKsS0tulBZWQo2HhcUKXFVqzXpOFSyiP1z_DuFfnA0oeJBi7mEuqbNGrrKjT9vUalYHQZ_SJIr367hPgZ6bRJtNC4BQa8p6edjGmzYnUqa0PKImbgPyObVE084/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. The boring part....letting it dry. Its best left overnight, bags open, out of reach of impatient curious hands! The rice will be stuck together when dry in the morning, but a quick squish in the bag will loosen it again. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. To prepare what the play experience, I set up the rice in a flat container. Believe it or not, the tray is a kitty litter tray from a cheap shop, clearly NOT used lol! The end result was our RAINBOW RICE! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini Miss couldn't wait to get into it. I set around the tray kitchen items such as scoops, funnels, measuring cups, spoons, various sized containers, even a silicone muffin tray for "baking". </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keen she dived straight in....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iyRqy6fqW7mMuRIf1W0B9styCqal8k0tKX9TjvoKCVk3UHmlrCsnfZcYQSI6-EZC64Bf6YZI1dQZcYYqE_Q6ahKVu3e5pT2XTdFfm4Q__4FFOL6YZ9vF2yB3f3AldQBrtihX1Tz8ScY/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iyRqy6fqW7mMuRIf1W0B9styCqal8k0tKX9TjvoKCVk3UHmlrCsnfZcYQSI6-EZC64Bf6YZI1dQZcYYqE_Q6ahKVu3e5pT2XTdFfm4Q__4FFOL6YZ9vF2yB3f3AldQBrtihX1Tz8ScY/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r_LyGUaVA6Xpc1qoZ9XGUSxd5FizbFFTUyRxqxbz-wrH5uJ6TFyuiK0QonSrjo5x0L0YJVq7iu98iKg_spzrKrFb-cuLz4tAjTYNPY75eEFF9KBRA3akUPpeE6KqvxMZilfkITengMs/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r_LyGUaVA6Xpc1qoZ9XGUSxd5FizbFFTUyRxqxbz-wrH5uJ6TFyuiK0QonSrjo5x0L0YJVq7iu98iKg_spzrKrFb-cuLz4tAjTYNPY75eEFF9KBRA3akUPpeE6KqvxMZilfkITengMs/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was fun. It was messy. It lasts. You can store it in an airtight container and use it again, and again and again! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She measured and poured. When we were colouring the rice we talked about mixing colours. So lots of learning as well as lots of fun!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got my inspiration for this, and for most of our activities, off Pinterest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can check out some of my kids activity boards <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/muddledmum/activity-monday-crafts/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/muddledmum/kids-craft/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and even <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/muddledmum/science-experiments-for-the-kids/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-91448597988539805062014-09-02T13:44:00.001+10:002014-09-02T13:44:22.784+10:00Birth Story of number 3!!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So its time to come in, do some spring cleaning, blow away the cobwebs and the tumbleweeds of this blog.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AND DO SOME WRITING!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First up, seeing as its a very recent and still very much a part of my life, is my birth story for baby number 3!</span><br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10502210_10152196272491641_4737243547500215772_n.jpg?oh=fda5ede949b986ebd95029c953117f49&oe=545F6854&__gda__=1417799425_fed756dadda53462e86e9fa00d58f6e1" width="221" /></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr Moo is now 7 weeks old! How time flies in a blur of sleepless nights, endless nappies, sterilising bottles and constant reminders for Mini Miss to "be gentle".....As well as the running of the rest of the family who need to all know they are still loved and important!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So Mr Moo was a planned C-section for medical reasons. If you have read my blog or my Facebook page, you will know that Mr Moo's pregnancy was very High Risk. That, plus the fact that I had already had 2 c-sections meant there was no possibility that I could have a natural birth. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am sad about that? Yes. And no. Yes, I REALLY wanted to experience child birth in all its glory. I wanted to bring a baby into the world as God intended. But, had I done that there was a very good chance my babies, and I, would not be here to tell the tale. At the end of the day, regardless of how they arrive, as long as you and your baby are healthy, that's all that really matters.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here it is....</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We headed into the hospital mid morning, having spent the morning doing last minute packing and cleaning, making sure car seats are in, making sure Mini Miss was set and ready for an extended visit with her Gran & Pa. We arrived and were settled into the bed that would be mine for the next few days. I was happy to see that A) my room, which was a shared room, was empty & B) I had a new bed, which was surprisingly comfortable for a hospital bed! It is, afterall, the little things when you are trying not to focus on what is about to happen.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a fear of needles. To say I freaked out during Mini Miss's delivery would be an understatement. I was a mess of tears, snot and puffy face by the time they got the Epidural in. It took almost an hour as I was that distraught. I was so sedated during her delivery that it is foggy to say the least, but at least, unlike Miss Teen's delivery, where I was under a general, I was present. I heard her cry. I kissed her and touched her and held her in recovery. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I was anxious, but I was suppressing it. Fake it til you make it style. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was also anxious, that like Mini Miss, my surgery would be postponed and I would have to wait until the next day. I didn't want that. Mr Moo's delivery date was already too close to the date of my friends beautiful angel, being just the day before. I wanted to keep that date as HERS. Its Melinda's day, and I didn't want my baby to share that. I was uncomfortably pregnant, my disease was already starting to flare up badly. I needed him OUT!! ASAP!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My midwife came in, told me I was first up, which gave me some relief on the whole waiting thing. Then without waiting she started to prep me. No need for details on this part, but there is changing of clothes and sheets, and shaving that all occurs. As a mother, there is no such thing as modesty. As well as checking on bub to make sure all is well, and to check on me too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then my Obstetrician came in to check on me, assure me I was first cab off the rank and then he was off to getting ready. He also asked if I wanted my tubes tied. Yes, I HAD wanted that, but put on the spot like that, having not discussed all the ins and outs of the surgery and the recovery, I panicked and said no. Duh! I could be all sewn up and no longer having to think about the dreaded BIRTH CONTROL, but oh no, panicky me stepped in and foiled THAT plan....sigh.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, as Hubby and I were relaxing (me = Faking it still) suddenly my midwife was there, as was the orderly, and we were off and rolling down the hallway to surgery. We reached the point where Hubby had get dressed into scrubs and wait, and I was whisked away. Away from Hubby, the panic rose like bile in my throat, but I swallowed it. Told it to bugger off. I was NOT having the experience spoiled! This is it. I don't get to do this again! I want to be present. I want to enjoy it as much as it is possible to have your insides cut open while awake!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I was in pre op, having drips inserted, catheter, and being talked through my procedure and being asked the same questions a thousand times over. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love that part. Your name, date of birth, allergies, blah blah blah....every single person who comes into some sort of contact with during this stage asks the same questions. I mean, I get the need to be careful and make sure you have the right person for the right surgery, but really, I had a huge moving on its own belly, its not like I'm there for a eye surgery! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess I didn't want THIS to happen!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then suddenly I was in theatre, sitting there, cold liquid, possibly ice (</span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">no, not really, but that antiseptic feels like its been in the freezer!)</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> being rubbed roughly on my back and dribbling down, lots of plastic blue plastic being stuck on my back. My midwife was holding me and making me focus on her as the local was administered. Then once it was working, I had a spinal block. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unlike the last time, I was calm. I didn't cry. I didn't panic. Fake it til you make it had worked. I had made it! The spinal went in first time this time, with minimal discomfort. I was almost beaming with pride at myself. I'm not sure how many expectant mums look or sound as happy as I did once that was all done, but I was just short of euphoric and I was getting a few weird looks! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Within minutes, Muddled Hubby was by my side, my Obstetrician was there and we were on.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could give you a graphic description, but I'll keep it simple. A spinal block numbs all the PAIN, but not ALL sensation. So I could "feel" pulling and tugging. But it didn't bother me at all. I could hear snipping, I could hear the Doctors chatting away, happily, calmly. Not like last time at all. Relaxed, calm, waiting.....I remember smiling at Hubby. I remember talking to him about nothing in particular. Then suddenly I heard a doctors mention forceps, and I focused. One of the doctors poked her head over the lovely green screen that prevents me having to SEE what they are doing, and said "ok, I'm going to push hard on the top of your stomach in a minute. It will feel uncomfortable, but this is how we deliver your baby".</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, this is it. I look at Hubby. I already have tears in my eyes. Prepared for that wave of emotion. I feel the push, I feel the rush of fluid, or whatever it is that happens then more pulling as he didn't want to come out! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then that cry. That little Waaaah.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the wave of emotion. The tearful look at hubby, whispers of "we did it" and other inconsequential phrases that mean "he is here and he is safe". Then Hubby gives me that look that is torn, I want to stay with you, my wife, the mother of my child, my son, and just love you, but I also want to go and see him, our son, I want to hold him. I whisper "go, go to him honey" and I lay there alone in that quiet moment as they clean him up, do their initial tests, with Hubby hovering, probably in their way. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In that moment so many thoughts cross my mind. I'm relieved. Relieved that he is here, that he is safe and presumably healthy. I think over and over, with more than a little disbelief "I have a son". I think of my friend Kath, of her angel Melinda, I think of my friend Kathy, fighting so so hard just to experience this feeling once. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the Doctors continue to clean me up and stitch, or this time, staple me back together (</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>the click click of the staple gun was a little weird!</i></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">), I meet my little boy, face to face. I can't hold him as both my arms have drips and monitors of all sorts attached, but I can kiss him. I can smell his newborn smell, I can look into his eyes and know, without a doubt, that my life, my family, is complete. That this little life right here in front of me completes my lifes purpose. I have born all the lives into this world I was meant to. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Master Thomas, Mr Moo to my blog from now on, was born on 16 July 2014 at 2.14pm. He was a healthy 3.8kg (8p7), and 49cms long. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were whisked off into recovery. This time there were no nurses fighting to treat me. My heart was strong and calm, so recovery nurses were working WITH the midwife. I got to hold him, feed him, to lay there and just soak him in while they did whatever it was that they did. To be honest, I wasn't really aware anyone other than myself and Thomas were there. Not even Hubby. Although I spoke to them, did as I was told and let them do things, all I could see was my baby. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His blood sugar, a worry given I had Gestational Diabetes, was fine, so I got to hold him all the way back to the ward. Eventually though, his levels dropped a bit and he was whisked away to special care for monitoring and some top up feeds. I knew that would happen, so while I was heartbroken, I wasn't surprised. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unlike previous deliveries, I wasn't taken to ICU. I was stable and well enough to go straight to maternity. This meant he could be brought to me for feeds while I recovered the use of my legs! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the next morning I was busting to get up and moving and have my baby with me. By lunchtime I was moving around, painfully, but moving enough that he could be brought to me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our stay in hospital wasn't all a breeze. I got a migraine 24 hours after my surgery. As yet, it hasn't completely gone. Doctors aren't sure why. Also, 2 days after surgery, I fainted. Something I have never done. I am still suffering nasty dizzy spells, and have almost fainted again a number of times. Again, there is no obvious reason as to why.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But other than those couple of complications, we are well. We are all settling in well. Mr Moo is a pretty good night sleeper, days are a mess, but nights are good. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Moo 6 weeks</td></tr>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10603639_10152274187441641_533470609073514455_n.jpg?oh=560ba975bcf155797ae1d8deea043546&oe=546A0724&__gda__=1415805556_bfbf056313e85d2fb1f632b68523b76c" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10603639_10152274187441641_533470609073514455_n.jpg?oh=560ba975bcf155797ae1d8deea043546&oe=546A0724&__gda__=1415805556_bfbf056313e85d2fb1f632b68523b76c" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini Miss has a lot of jealousy issues, but we are working on that. She LOVES her little brother so much that I don't doubt her jealousy will diminish over time. She loves it when he is awake and alert and he only has eyes for her when she is in the room! </span><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10460210_10152196275601641_7400444814582887672_n.jpg?oh=7c198edb094c976ae42194a009c10795&oe=54674699&__gda__=1417802470_bfb1c5ba31f99d2029eea2081b404142" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10460210_10152196275601641_7400444814582887672_n.jpg?oh=7c198edb094c976ae42194a009c10795&oe=54674699&__gda__=1417802470_bfb1c5ba31f99d2029eea2081b404142" style="text-align: center;" width="234" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miss Teen is absolutely smitten with her "little bro", although as soon as he cries, she is happy to hand him back! But is also happy to be an extra set of hands when she is needed. Looking at electives for school next year, she said "well, I don't have to do Early Childhood as it covers how to look after babies and toddlers. I think I have that covered"! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So thats our story. Unlike the previous 2, not full of drama and danger, as all deliveries should be. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And given it is our last baby, I am incredibly grateful for that. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10653625_10152276491151641_15710533917830210_n.jpg?oh=c94e51f06d78ce14ea40da7e3ede6316&oe=54614152" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Teen, Mr Moo & Mini Miss</td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-29573839602195938432014-06-17T17:41:00.001+10:002014-06-17T17:41:02.534+10:00A letter to my Mum<div>Dear Mum,</div><div><br></div><div>Has it really been 8 years since that awful day? It still feels like yesterday that you were here, yet it also feels like a lifetime has passed. So much has happened and you should still be here to share it with me, with us. </div><div><br></div><div>I have done so much without you now, some days, can you believe it, I still, just briefly think, "I'll just call mum..." or "I should tell Mum..." Because even now, you are still the person I want to share everything with.</div><div><br></div><div>You should have been at my wedding for example. Crying, as I know you would, but so so happy, because I know that is all you wanted for me, to find someone that makes me happy. Someone that loved me like you knew I deserved. And my goodness, you would love my Muddled Hubby so much! A sci fi geek, a Trekkie like you! I often think "oh mum would love that!" when he does or says something. I wish you were here to give me advise on marriage, on our relationship. Even at almost 40 I feel so young and inexperienced in a real life relationship, at times I feel completely lost, like I'm doing it all wrong. You always said it took more than just love to make it work, and you were right! </div><div><br></div><div>And Miss Teen, she's a teenager now! If ever there was a time I needed guidance from you as a parent, now is it! She is still the beautiful girl she always has been, but she deals with so much. It's been hard on her too, losing you, all the changes in our lives, growing up. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually think it's harder to be a teenager these days! She has a great group of friends, and even a boyfriend, which I'm sure you, like Dad, would disapprove of! But she is smart, and oh my, so talented!! And her dreams, wow, they impress me! She is strong and brave, I just wish she could see it like I do, like you would. </div><div><br></div><div>And then there is Mini Miss! What a whirlwind. You would love her Mum! She is so full of energy and life. Remember I used to think Maddi was my payback for being a difficult baby and you never quite agreed?! Well, this is my payback baby!! She is a lot of hard work, but I wouldn't have her any other way! Curious, adventurous, full of love, so much love! So stubborn and so certain of herself! You should be here, holding her, watching her grow, laughing at me trying to handle her, and helping me.</div><div><br></div><div>2 granddaughters! We were so sure MissTeen would be the only one. Maybe if we could have seen into my future, maybe you would have fought harder to stay? If we had known, had an inkling of how much you still had to look forward to.....</div><div><br></div><div>But there's more. Right now, in around a month, a grandson. That's right, I am actually carrying a baby boy! Now THAT is something we definitely thought impossible! The final piece of our family puzzle, to make it complete. You should be here, along side Dad, to see him! To watch him grow! A son. A grandson. </div><div><br></div><div>There is so much in my life now. It's like I wasn't living, then all of a sudden I met Muddled Hubby and I finally learnt how to really live. My life, my meaning in this world, finally made sense. It's full of love, full of craziness, full of stress, full of joy, full of heartache. But always, always, it's still got an empty spot. Your spot Mum. Today, and everyday, I still think of you. I still cry for you. When I am sick or sad I still want you to comfort me. To wrap your arms around me in THAT hug. No one else quite gets it right. When I am excited or happy I still want to share it with you. I want to see your face light up as I share happy news with you. You always seemed to reflect and grow my happiness when I shared it with you. </div><div><br></div><div>Mum, you were so much more than a Mum. You were my best friend, you were my beginning, a part of me. </div><div><br></div><div>It may be 8 years today that you left, but it still hurts like it was just yesterday, if I let it. The pain, the grief, it can completely overwhelm me. The difference now is I'm stronger. I can, for the most part, control the grief, let it out in small manageable doses that don't feel like my heart is being ripped out again. </div><div><br></div><div>I would do almost anything to have one more hug, to see one more smile, to hear your voice...I forget how it sounds now and it breaks my heart....</div><div><br></div><div>I love you Mum.</div><div><br></div><div>I miss you Mum. </div><div><br></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-52368016831816651822014-06-16T20:03:00.002+10:002014-06-16T20:03:19.570+10:00Nutella Scrolls<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, so not Slow Cooker made, but they can be. If you want to give it a go, I see plenty of people cooking scrolls in their slow cookers, so go for it! But this recipe will be for the oven. Why? I cook scrolls regularly, and this is how I know they turn out WELL! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are fantastic for lunch boxes, heated up with a cup of tea for afternoon tea, and yes, you can freeze them! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here it is.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 1/4 cups Self Raising Flour</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">60g Chilled Butter finely chopped</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup Nutella warmed (more if you want!!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat your oven to 200 or 180 for fan forced & line a slice/lamington/biscuit style tray with Baking Paper. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sift flour into a large bowl and mix in caster sugar. </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add chilled butter and rub together with your hands until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the middle of mix.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a separate bowl combine milk, egg and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mix until it forms a sticky batter. Roll batter out onto floured board and kneed for a few minutes. Roll into a rectangle approx 30x40cm, 1-2cm thick.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Warm Nutella in the microwave for about 30 seconds and spread evenly over the top of the dough. Roll tightly along long edge. Use milk to seal the outer edge if needed, and using a serrated knife, cut roll into 12 equal slices.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place slices, on their side on the tray, brush lightly with milk, and bake in the oven for 20-25 mins. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not over cook these or they will be dry. Just until the are lightly browned is plenty.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I highly recommend eating them warm out of the oven with a cup of tea!!!!</span></div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-14180090866887419002014-06-05T21:38:00.001+10:002014-06-05T21:38:43.534+10:00Slow Cooked Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel Sauce<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here it is! The dessert recipe I have been raving about for days! </span><div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This sticky date pudding is sweet, but not too sweet, sticky, as it should be, and just delicious with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is it healthy? Nope, not even a little! Just because there are dates in it, does not mean its healthy! What it is is preservative free, additive free. All fresh ingredients, you know whats in it, so that has to be better than a frozen store bought pudding. Yep, even better than good old Sara Lee!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Credit where credit is due, a big thanks to Paulene at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/SlowCookerRecipes4Families/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Recipes 4 Families</a> for this amazing recipe!!! </span></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slow Cooked Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel Sauce</span></h2>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Tqup_XdxXpqCbC0Cb-0W4FbtSGd84X1PgSgczfmSz4vgk_IQSfGybBNxbEuUkE2enyGS14saBcpJP8xD_CEkdCIFZtBEkAE3Wtps_6h8lyLmy0RLBfxy90JoEGO1GIzPU3wUNXWrAgc/s1600/IMG_7381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Tqup_XdxXpqCbC0Cb-0W4FbtSGd84X1PgSgczfmSz4vgk_IQSfGybBNxbEuUkE2enyGS14saBcpJP8xD_CEkdCIFZtBEkAE3Wtps_6h8lyLmy0RLBfxy90JoEGO1GIzPU3wUNXWrAgc/s1600/IMG_7381.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 litre Boiling Water</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3/4 Cup Brown Sugar</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">75 grams diced butter</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pudding</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 1/2 cups plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tsp baking powder</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tso baking soda (bicarb soda)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2-3 tsp mixed spice (I used cinnamon as that was all we had!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups dates</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">boiling water</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 1/4 cups milk</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">50 grams melted butter</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Turn slow cooker onto low to preheat</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sauce</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mix water, sugar and butter together until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pour into preheated slow cooker and cover</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pudding</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put dates into heat proof container and cover with boiling water to soften.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices into a large bowl. Stir in brown sugar and make a well in the centre.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mash or blend dates with water. I used the rocket blender for a nice smooth consistency. Pour into flour, then add milk. Mix well, making sure there are no flour lumps. Once combined stir in butter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spoon batter carefully and evenly over sauce in slow cooker and cover with a lid. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMhnUpW3sgNO-5E0o0irJC4y0YPIBFiEjYiELW9iOQNNKX8ZWrWAKsPiji3MJDgHD9XYUbBODwJIVyyQil9-v6ELGXdQ3OXfKK1PHVuSB45Gi1eC5_hhcmjv4jv3da6H1EIfOAbpovYM/s1600/IMG_7370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMhnUpW3sgNO-5E0o0irJC4y0YPIBFiEjYiELW9iOQNNKX8ZWrWAKsPiji3MJDgHD9XYUbBODwJIVyyQil9-v6ELGXdQ3OXfKK1PHVuSB45Gi1eC5_hhcmjv4jv3da6H1EIfOAbpovYM/s1600/IMG_7370.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cook on high for 1 hour, then reduce to low and cook for a further 3-4 hours.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not lift the lid for the first 2 hours of cooking.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EfgHehEFyj2JWKO6H5di7G3Dp9nnsleu-IihICaSDwuN3Tkysios2nkAyn_tBPbnjRm86m0VY36W7fI90yX2KTEX9AxAuzDq6D5142VMw3Z9BLw8jsPBotR_Hoyz4uMJ1CvmlI2c5d0/s1600/IMG_7379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EfgHehEFyj2JWKO6H5di7G3Dp9nnsleu-IihICaSDwuN3Tkysios2nkAyn_tBPbnjRm86m0VY36W7fI90yX2KTEX9AxAuzDq6D5142VMw3Z9BLw8jsPBotR_Hoyz4uMJ1CvmlI2c5d0/s1600/IMG_7379.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy :) </span></div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232013891396283091.post-73556503847418354422014-06-05T21:09:00.001+10:002014-06-05T21:09:53.129+10:00Slow Cooked Roast Beef with Mushroom and Red Wine Gravy<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had this lovely Beef Topside Roast, and had no idea what to do with it.</span><div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have never really been a roast cooker. I always found it intimidating, and my Mum was such great cook and roast was her specialty. So I avoided them. I let Muddled Hubby cook them from time to time, and he is a great cook too, but not me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to tackle this head on. Take my Slow Cooker Challenge to the next level and do a Slow Cooked Roast.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started exploring for a recipe I knew the family would like. I searched my favourite Facebook pages, my favourite websites, then more widely, google. Nothing. Nothing jumped out at me and said "THIS is your recipe". So I decided since I was tackling a roast, I may as well tackle the idea of creating my own recipe!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know, from past casseroles and meals that red wine and mushrooms make a good base, so, without further rambling on my part, here is my VERY FIRST own recipe creation!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slow Cooked Roast Beef with Mushroom and Red Wine</span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrTnjO1suYliMDF2NteJh_fJ-drP0sM-OjoxZffpTuRMuBmbRvMd8yAN7D74YcpkA21oDXNckuwAVbHOnaEWNEMi0MEYcjGPhliLHMVLNKUqyUw2Kts8rS2bS2z0tumM0YExj5Zm6Lgs/s1600/IMG_7341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrTnjO1suYliMDF2NteJh_fJ-drP0sM-OjoxZffpTuRMuBmbRvMd8yAN7D74YcpkA21oDXNckuwAVbHOnaEWNEMi0MEYcjGPhliLHMVLNKUqyUw2Kts8rS2bS2z0tumM0YExj5Zm6Lgs/s1600/IMG_7341.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Topside Roast around 1.2kg </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup beef stock (I made my stock stronger than normal, using 1 1/2 times the amount of stock powder for a stronger flavour)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4-1/2 cup Red Wine. (I used 1/2 cup and found it a little too much, but its a personal thing!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tin crushed tomatoes</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 brown onion sliced into rings</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tsp oregano</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tsp coriander</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2-3 tsp crushed garlic</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp basil</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp paprika</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2/3 cup mushrooms</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sauce </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 the juices in the slow cooker</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 heaped tsp of beef gravy powder</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tbs corn flour</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Line base of slow cooker with onion rings and place roast on top.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coat with spices. You could add more or less, depending on how strong you like your flavours to be.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add crushed tomatoes, red wine and the beef stock.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mNoGiaLasD0UBjyET7pk39ub_-50TLjk5L2b_ia4nO_nNscMstY0rgDlwfgwK77VhDS5Jg2iwU7yDgDDSSV3T4J_4EU3sj6fw8IRKemkR_EHYa5ikKd6RSvmD3Qsroe0OEQ2WAY7M1o/s1600/IMG_7327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mNoGiaLasD0UBjyET7pk39ub_-50TLjk5L2b_ia4nO_nNscMstY0rgDlwfgwK77VhDS5Jg2iwU7yDgDDSSV3T4J_4EU3sj6fw8IRKemkR_EHYa5ikKd6RSvmD3Qsroe0OEQ2WAY7M1o/s1600/IMG_7327.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cook on high for 3 hours. Turn meat over and cook for a further 2 hours on high. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove approx 1/2 the liquid in the cooker. The liquid will increase during cooking time due to the moisture in the slow cooker. Once liquid is removed, add mushrooms and cook for a further hour.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove meat and allow to rest while making gravy</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Using remaining juices in the slow cooker, add gravy powder and corn flour and whisk until thick and creamy. Add more corn flour if needed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serve with oven roasted vegetables.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully your family enjoys as much as mine did! </span></div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17801748945402837883noreply@blogger.com0