Storage Problem?

What storage problem?

Any ingenious space-saving tips you can offer wouldn't go astray around here.

(Despite my occasional 'stomp and steam' fests - moving house is not an option.)

(And yes, that is a breast pump in full view. What about it?)

Shar :-)

Point + Shoot : Easter Feaster

Delayed Point + Shoot telecast - due to super relaxed transmission.

And twenty five loads of washing.

Pretty damn relaxed, actually.

Over the Easter break, we camped at a beautiful spot about 4 hours north of Perth.

(5 hours if you account for large appetites and small bladders.)

Just the three of us this time - oh, and about 2000 other happy campers in the park.

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

I think that just about sums it up!

 

Confucious say : camping or no camping. Pregnant woman can never have too many pillows.

We just enjoyed.

Enjoyed hanging out, fishing, napping, swimming, eating, sandboarding, sightseeing, playing on every playground in the area, picnicking, walking, paddling, meeting the 'neighbours', reading, reclining, getting a bit feral...

all at our leisure.

No plans, no time frames, no commitments or obligations

- apart from to each other and the pursuit of relaxation!

 

The Easter Bunny must have G.P.S. - and E.S.P.

Camping's not everyone's cup of tea (or hot chocolate with toasted marshmallows),

 but it's definitely ours.

I hope you had yourself a beautiful loooong weekend too.

Linking with Lou's Point + Shoot

and

Sonia's Wonderful Weekends

Shar :-)

Grateful for... This Man

This week (but always) I'm grateful for the man that is my Hubby.

As I've mentioned before, my Hubby is so easygoing he may as well be horizontal most of the time.
But he's also extremely patient, tolerant and caring - when he loves ya.
(No, other drivers around Perth - he doesn't love ya.)

I think a great indication of a man's heart is how he treats his Mum.
Hubby has a great relationship with both of his parents.
Yes, he takes advantage of their extreme patience, tolerance and care  - but he also genuinely looks out for them.
Hubby's Mum has been really unwell the past week and he has (of his own accord - and without any fanfare) visited, gifted and checked in on his Mum daily.
I love that he speaks to his folks frequently and values their opinion.
It's because of him that I'm lucky enough to have a lovely relationship with my in-laws.

He doesn't ask for much, my Hubby.
Well. He drops a lot of not-so-subtle hints.
But, he isn't phased that most of them go ignored - or get shot down in flames.
(There will be no boat.)

Case in point.
I may just have made Hubby's week by picking up a $7 Big W flannelette shirt for him.

His inner bogan is jumping for joy - and his early morning paddles are a little warmer.


There are real issues and tragedies playing out all over the world during this privileged Easter break we're heading into.
Beth from BabyMac put it perfectly in her post 'She's A Rich Girl'.
Eden from Edenland is living it - in the midst of true poverty in n]Niger as I type.


But closer to home for me...
Tomorrow a woman my age is laying her beautiful husband to rest.
Her two little boys have spent all the time they're going to get with their Daddy in this world.
A mother and brother will farewell their Pete - probably terrorised by images of the way his life was taken.
My heart hurts and my head cannot even comprehend.


Twice in the past week since hearing of my school friend's death in the ocean, Hubby has set out to paddle and not returned at his usual time.
I can't begin to tell you how far in my throat my heart sits as the time goes on.
The release of tension in my body when his ski appears and his car pulls into the driveway.


Thursday, he and his buddy did have a scare. A genuine one.
When he left the bathroom after telling me, I sat and bawled in the shower.
I can't - and won't - imagine our life without him.


Another woman doesn't have that luxury anymore.
Pete, the loss your family and community feel is like your spirit -  immeasurable, mate.


Hubby, you are loved, needed and wanted more than you will ever know.

So, so grateful with Maxabella Loves 52 Weeks of Grateful.


Shar xxx

Sorry Bout That

I would just like to publicly apologise to anyone and everyone who utilises

the Picnik photo editing site.

As you will know - it is closing down this month.

I believe this may be my fault.

A few months ago, the gorgeous Bron @ Maxabella Loves recommended the site

 - and I took to it with gusto.

Now, as with every product I like - it is being pulled from my clutches - and yours.

Again, I'm sorry.

This phenomena has been happening to me for years.

Underwear, make-up, stationary, shoes, groceries, jeans, perfume, whole shops, cleaning products, Tupperware colours, actual cars, pharmaceuticals, sweets, wine, the divine eggplant parmigiana at a local restaurant...

All intimidated into non existence by the Shar jumping on board.

Even the most flattering maternity jeans in the world that I discovered when pregnant with Magoo were recalled from the shelves on the day that my pre-ordered pair arrived in store.

A girlfriend in high school actually refused to tell me the brand of foundation she used,

because she knew it's days would be numbered once I fell in love with it.

It's a burden - this level of consumer power that I (unintentionally) carry.

I do so with a heavy heart.

Maybe it's the universe teaching me not to get so attached to material possessions?

Maybe it's the man above toying with my penchant for routine?

Maybe it's complete coincidence - over and over and over again.

So, tell me.

Can you recommend any fantastic products that you're happy to see discontinued in the near future?

Shar :-)

52 Week Project : Wk 29

The landscape is changing around here.

Far more undulating these days.

The flat, sweeping plains of 2011 are looking vastly different

- but pretty magnificent in their own right, if you ask me.

I mean, how's this for a view?

With a checkered body-love (or more body-hate) history,

people (myself included) have questioned how I feel about myself during pregnancy.

The answer today is -  pretty damn good!

Yes, I still weigh myself. Regularly.

(I know. Pregnant ladies and scales are not intended to fraternise.

As I've said before it's a 'control thing' and a habit.

Let's just call it curiosity.)

Yes, I purchased 4 pieces of costume jewellery on the weekend to balance

the side-saddle chunk I can see creeping around from my behind.

(Peripheral vision is a drag.)

Uh-huh, I know there will be days when I redefine 'elephantitis',
can't find a single thing to wear and have to go with thongs
because I can't see my feet - let alone reach them.
Days when the whole entire world (but me) seems to have been dieting, working out
and engaging in subtle plastic surgery.

But, in general I loooove this body right now.

I loooove the magic it is creating and sustaining every single day.

I can't get enough of my growing belly and there's something slightly inappropriate

about how captivated I am by my breasts.

Hefting them and giggling at my mammary reflection in the oven.

Hey, they're a novelty event around here.

I'm eating whatever I feel like -

with great intentions of eating as much healthy food as possible.

So instead of chocolate, I have a piece of fruit - and then the chocolate.

I have happily indulged the lolly phase, the sparkling water phase, the vegetarian phase,
the hot cross bun phase, then the sorbet phase

and most recently, the chocolate crackle phase.

I'm a-okay with the idea of gaining weight, but will try not to double in size literally.

I'm proud of my body and I'm also proud of the way that my head is conducting itself.

I look forward to feeling less, um,  cumbersome one day -

but I also know that that day doesn't have to come in the week post-birth,

or the month - or at any point this year, really.

I can honestly say that I feel the least critical of my body in the throes of pregnancy.

It may have something to do with the feeling that my body's shape is not my handiwork right now
- so I can embrace it without my usual issues.

Anywho, here's to lady lumps and all that.

Linking with http://www.mymummydaze.blogspot.com/

Shar :-)

Eleven Things ...

Thank you for the tag, Lou.
And what a tag it is.

• A photo of me.
• Eleven things about me.
• Answer your eleven questions.
• Make up my own eleven questions to pass on.

I had to cooperate though, because you never do these things.

(Gee, I sure hope you're reading, Lou. Else I'm out here talkin' to myself. Again.)

So, here's me...

I'm on the right.
Hiiii!
(Man, I hate my voice!)

Eleven things...
1. Well, I hate my voice.
That hang-up on the answering machine?
It was me.
Listening to myself when playing back interviews for a thesis - torture.
2. I love birthdays.
My birthday. Your birthday. Any one's birthday.
It's taken me a few years to cotton on to the fact that not every one's into birthdays.
3. I really think about the gifts I give.
To the point of ridiculous.
Browsing, considering, choosing, weighing up, browsing some more...
I'm thinking this habit will not be conducive to being a Mum of two.
4. I laugh too loud, but speak too soft.
5. I'm so nosy.
You can call it inquisitive, inquiring, curious. But it's just nosiness.
6. I have a thing about symmetry.
Things must be symmetrical for me to feel right about them.
7. I would love to own/run a newsagency.
Then I would be surrounded by cards, magazines and stationary.
8. I would also love to work in the fitness industry.
Then I would be paid to train.
9. I would love to write children's literature.
Then I could relieve my brain of half it's weight. Soooo many ideas.
10. Hey, I'm actually too chicken to be anything but a primary school teacher.
A good one, though!
11. I honestly believe I can run another marathon  - and better my time.
Aaaggh - I've said it out loud. Sorta.


Lou's Questions... 
1 // The best birthday present you ever received?
That's tricky - 'cause I love birthdays. And presents!
A gift from Hubby stands out.
It was a year I said 'no presents' as we were strapped for the cash, you know.
He gifted me five small, inexpensive presents each one with a sweet love note explaining which of the five senses it related to and why.
I really do mean it when I say "it's the thought that counts".
Also, I treasure a necklace I received from a friend a couple of years ago.
It's a gorgeous silver dove and it's nest - the symbolism and quirkiness captivated me.

2 // Your go-to, never-fail meal?

Hmmm. You can't stuff up a roast. Can you?

3 // Your most unfortunate holiday experience?

Well, I'm not one to look a holiday-horse in the mouth.

Any holiday has got to be better than none?

Although, on a brilliant Europe trip years ago, my girlfriend and I were really disappointed in Naples, Italy. Scarily so.

Luckily, the Amalfi Coast more than made up for our couple of days in that seedy port.

4 // One thing that you wish you had?

My family close by.

5 // Your Facebook friends: The more the merrier or select few?

Somewhere in between?

I don't do the 'cull' but I also don't see the point in following the life and times of someone who doesn't interest you in the slightest - or vice versa.

6 // Your shoe size?

Ladies seven.

Apart from after Magoo's birth - when they were a monster's eleventy billion!

7 // What names are NOT on your baby names list? If you don't have a list, just pretend you do!

Oooh - this will offend.

I'm a teacher, so unfortunately, some names have had to be stricken for occupational reasons.

Christian is off the list.

Declan is one I had to wrestle out of Hubby's clutches before Magoo was born.

Lily (which I love) is out simply due to saturation.

Sharon is a definite no - 'cause I hate it on me - and therefore on my offspring!

Anything so unusual it cannot be recognised visually/phonetically is a bad idea.

8 // Your morning routine?

Exercise. (Outdoors on 'my day', at home on 'Hubby's day'.)

Magoo cuddles.

Put on washing.

Breakfast with Magoo.

Make and pack lunches/bags/supplies - depending on the day

Shower with or without Magoo.

Wash dishes

Express-iron clothes, do hair and make up.

Magoo's clothes, teeth and hair!

Quick walk of the dog with Magoo.

Hang out washing.

Water plants.

We're off.

Usually by 8.30am.

(Washing and the poor dog are neglected on work days to be out by 7.30am or earlier.)

Is anyone actually still reading???????

9 // Your favourite thing about blogging?

Laughing at a computer screen.

The beautiful people I've met - but have yet to meet.

10 // What were you like at age 16?

Very different to now.

Drinking too much.

Social - living for parties and friends.
Freaking out that my parents were going to make me move to Ireland.
Plastering my walls with photos.
Infatuated.

Super insecure.

Or not so different to now maybe?!

11 // What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in life?

Mortgage

Marriage

Magoo

Marathon

Each x 1 at this stage!

My Own Eleven Questions For YOU...
What makes you squirm?
What relaxes you?
Where else would you like to live?
Weird things you do while on the phone?
Where do you keep the tomato sauce?
What is your 'vice'?
What is your 'pet peeve' in other people?
What's your favourite meal?
Who do you wish you could meet?
The toughest thing you've ever had to do?
What do you avoid at all costs?

I won't tag individuals, but if you've made it this far - goooo on, do one of your own.
I'm seriously interested in where you keep the sauce.

Shar :-)

Point + Shoot : Party Central

Hey, just like the Venga Boys - we. like. to. party.

Always have.

Whilst pulling all-nighters and kicking up our heels were once the icing on our cake of life,

now Hubby and I are more likely to be literally enjoying the icing on the cake instead.

How talented are my friends???

Talent by association?

We've certainly partied 'hard' this weekend

- and have also been kicking back on the couch by 8pm each night!!

The times, they change.

The hangovers, they hurt.

The kids, they don't care.

The inappropriate adults, they don't grow up... :-)

 

We've celebrated at three birthday parties in the last couple of days

- each one filled with great friends, tons of fun - and of course, treats galore.

A small part of me craves a weekend of no plans and family spontaneity

(Easter - you may just be exactly what the Mummy ordered!)

but all the other parts of me love an excuse to celebrate our fabulous 'village',

mark milestones, run with a theme, socialise, watch my boy have himself a ball

 and live life to it's fullest (until about 8pm, that is!)

Amongst the celebrations of the last couple of days,

my thoughts are constantly returning to the unfortunate fragility of life

and this renewed need I have to savour every moment,

soak up all the 'good stuff' I can and make damn sure that those I love know they're loved.

I hope your weekend was one to treasure.

Linking up with

Lou's Point + Shoot

and

Sonia's Wonderful Weekends

Shar :-)