Stuff to Do

for all my loved ones back home.   We are well and truly blessed, and I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts with you that I've been having. Some of you have already heard this, so bear with me!   Christmas is a time of hope, and of rebirth. A time to remember that the hope of mankind was reborn on this special night, in the simplest of conditions. There was no birthing suite or epidural. Just a mother, a very anxious father, some animals, and a manger filled with straw. That's it. God chose to send His son to us in the most basic of conditions. And yet, there was nothing basic about this baby. He was born with one purpose - to save mankind. From the day He was born, He was destined to die, so that we might have eternal life. There was no fancy wrapping paper on the most amazing gift ever given. Mary gave birth to Jesus, loved him, raised him, and later witnessed his death on the cross. He was the saviour of the world, but he was still her little boy,

I'm shutting up shop here, and won't be back online for a few days, when we're set up in the new digs. At this point, it feels like it will never happen, although we're moving in a few days. Life at the unit is chaotic at best, and the new place is in tatters, awaiting new carpet and tile, etc. So bye for now, and I'll talk to you later! XOXO, Sarah  

I don't know what to write. I've got some heavy stuff on my mind, but I'm not ready to write about that. And because of the heavy stuff, I'm not able to see the lighter side of things to write about that. Then there's just the daily grind, but that's sooooo boring that I don't want to go through it, let alone read about it. Philippa is sleeping better, we've had two 7 hour nights since putting her on formula. I should be less tired, but it's the opposite - go figure. Feeling supremely unmotivated today. There is a heap of stuff to do of course, but I'm all alone this morning, as usual. Kids are in bed, so I suppose I should be doing something productive, instead of whinging on and on, but I just can't seem to get started. I care, but I don't care. If that even makes any sense to anyone. Tomorrow is Charlie Brown's birthday party - I'm making a capuccino-shaped birthday cake, and I'm making a big bowl of tossed s

Cell #1: Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate Cell #2: Salt, Salt, Salt (in the form of potato chips, please) Cell#3: CAFFEINE!!!!!!! (preferably coke, but I'm not picky) Cell #4: s.....l.....e.....e......p................zzzzzzzzzzzzz   Since I'm typing this, perhaps I've got more than four functioning brain cells. But those four are by far the loudest. They're having a contest to see who drives my blood pressure through the roof, with my now 2-year old running a close race for first place. But Lachlan's taken the 2-year old to the shop to get stuff to make pizza (yippee!), so I'm getting a little break.   Oh, and while I'm having a mini-rant, let me just say that people who drive rudely make me really angry. I don't want to hear your loud engine roaring through my tranquil afternoon. I don't care how quickly you can make it from one end of the street to the other. I couldn't give one gajillionth of a molecule. I don't think yo

being two that is. Two years ago tonight at midnight, my labour started. And 20 1/2 hours after that, my big bad toddler came into the world, only she was a scrawny scrappy thing. I look at her growing and changing every second of every day, and I can't believe how blessed I am. I have doubts, to be sure. Doubts that I am worthy of being her mother. But then God reminds me that he chose ME and no one else to be her Mommy. And once the Creator of the universe says you are the right woman for the job, well, you kind of can't argue with that! Two years ago, this was my girl: And here she is today, in all her sassy glory: I could not have imagined that my tiny, tiny baby would ever grow into such a cheeky little girl. Her current favourite foods are chocolate, chips, cheese, black olives, lettuce, and carrot. Her favourite thing to say? "I want to". I know it's her favourite because she says it about 500 times a day! But you know what? Even when she makes me want to

for not putting your toddler to bed in just a nappy...   Oh Drat, I've done a poo.   It doesn't feel very nice...maybe I'll take off my nappy.   Ah, that's better. Yucky, I got some on my hand.   I'll just wipe it off on my belly. And the sheets. And the cot.   'Nuff said.   XOXO, Sarah

We've decided to switch Philippa to formula. It's not an easy choice, but it's the right one for us. I remember struggling with this decision when we weaned Charlie Brown. It's not any easier this time. But what is different this time is that I don't feel as though I should be ashamed. I don't feel like a failure. I feel very proud of myself for sticking it out this long, when I really wanted to chuck it all in months ago. We think this is the best for all the members of our family, Philippa included. So that's the news for today. Now I'm off to bed, as I can't keep my eyes open any longer! XOXO, Sarah

I'm having one of those rare days when I really regret moving here. When I question my capabilities as a mother, when I wonder if I would have been happier settling down over in the US. Which is silly, because I'm here now, and here is where I'm meant to be. But still, I feel so lonely sometimes. For my family members, for familiar foods, smells, and sounds. For bathroom chats with my mother. For family gatherings, filled with love, laughter, and warmth. For the remarkable greek-ness (as portrayed in My Big Fat Greek Wedding ) of my non-greek family. For my dad's wisdom. For people who just 'get' me, because they've known me my whole life. For OIP cheesesteaks, pizzas and salads. For the smell of freshly cut sweet grass mixed with the faint aroma of cow manure. For high school football games, marching bands , hot cocoa, seeing my breath in the air, yellow school buses , the smell of crisp dried leaves, Yankee candles , Martin's potato chip

Some things about me that you may or may not know:   I love to play board games. I also love to do jigsaw puzzles - really hard ones that take a long time I love movies that make me cry. I do not care for peas. I love shopping. If I am reading, good luck getting my attention. I enjoy baking. I love cooking for other people. I wish my hair weren't so grey. If I had to pick a favourite cuisine, I'd say Italian If I was able to visit anywhere in the world, I'd visit Pennsylvania, then San Antonio Texas I sometimes wonder if my ex-husband has found someone new. (Not because I'd be jealous, but a sort of curiosity) My biggest moments in life? Singing at a televised event, my wedding day (the second one), and the birth of my two daughters. I collect teacups, stones, and pajamas. I like to sing loudly when no one is listening. I love to drive. I ate dry cat food when I was a kid. I stole crayons from the school store in the 3rd grade. In 

Charlie looked so cute the other morning, I couldn't resist taking a snap. She'd taken her pants off and put them on her head. Then she put one shoe on (the other foot), and was riding her bike around the lounge room making motorcycle noises. Don't you love her 'hog'? This is one of those reward moments, in case you didn't catch it. XOXO, Sarah

After receiving several responses, here's what my take on 'loving myself' is:   Replacing "I hate myself" with "God loves me" Replacing "I'm so ugly" with "God made me beautiful" Replacing "I'm worthless" with "God thinks I'm priceless" Replacing "I'm a terrible mother" with "I was born to do this" Replacing "I can't" with "We can"   Loving myself comes from loving others - my children, my husband, my family, my friends. So I'm going to play with my kids, cook lovely dinners, keep my home tidy (as much as you can with a toddler and an almost crawler), keep myself tidy, do the laundry, and make our home a haven. In serving my family, I serve God, and therein lies my reward. Now off to get Pippa up - she's a sleepyhead today! XOXO, Sarah

What does it mean to love yourself unconditionally?The whole concept is confusing to me. I know how to love my family, but loving myself? I don't get it. Is it something simple or is it something complex. Anyway, that's what I'm meant to be working on for the next couple of weeks. Loving myself unconditionally, and without judgement.   Something else I've discovered is that in wanting to be passionate about what I do -  I am passionate about what I do - it's just a quiet passion. It's not public, it's private. What drove my passion for other jobs was the recognition I got from other people. Well I might not receive recognition and awards like I did at my other jobs, but there are rewards. They are in the small things, like when I'm watching my girls play together. When Charlie eats all the dinner I've prepared for her. When Pippa smiles at me, content and happy and secure. When Lachlan says "Great pizza, Sar". When the girls

Seriously. I do. I had this idea, to make personalised Christmas ornaments for everyone out of playdough. Ambitious, but something I could sort of do with Charlie Brown. Here are the first 4, and they turned out awesome! Just in case you can't tell from the photo, clockwise from top left they are: a handbag with a flower on it, a coffee mug, a flamingo, and flower. How cool are they?!? I can't wait to get the supplies to make the rest of them! Otherwise, we're doing okay. Not fantastic, but not terrible. Just okay. Taking one day at a time, one hour at a time. Trying not to sweat the small stuff. (And it's all small stuff). Now off to cook dinner - Pizza for grownups and lentils and barley for Charlie. XOXO, Sarah

Charlie is so overtired today - she may actually get in 3 naps. She's got some broken skin between her toes, and goes berserk when I even look at it, let alone try to put medicine on it. Lachlan will have to help me by holding her down so I can get at it to clean it.   Philippa is a bit sick, with some congestion. So the immunisations are postponed again. At this rate, she'll be due for the 6-month ones before we ever get to her 4 month ones. I put it off, because her 4 month lot fell during school holidays, and no way was I going to go during school holidays. Plus, I'd done the same with her 2 month ones, and I didn't want them to be too close together.   Sometimes I find my 'job' enjoyable, and sometimes I get so bored with the mundane-ness of it all. My biggest challenges are getting red crayon off the wall (turned out to be easy-peasy shampoo- squeezy with the help of this product ), and not eating the entire bucket of sugar cookies I ju

I am not you. I love you and I respect you, but I am not you. So I'm going to stop trying to be you. Because it's not working for me. There are many people in my life, people whom I respect and admire. I see their life from my view, and it looks pretty awesome. I think "I want some of that!", but here's the rub: I am not them. So what works for them, may or may not work for me. I've got to be a wife to my husband, and a mother to my children, and I've got to do what works for us, instead of forcing us into a mold that isn't made for us. I've got to do the best I can, making each day better than the one before it. It doesn't mean that I love anyone less, or disagree with their parenting style, or anything like that - it's just that I'm striving to find what is right for our family. So I'm forging a new path with my husband and kids - one that's made for us, and no one else. I may or may not take it, but advice is

My children and I love a good routine. It's just how we are. There's nothing wrong with that, and I won't apologise to anyone for it. The only time we (and by we I mean me) have a problem is when I mess with the schedule. Like forcing Charlie to stay awake so we can go to playgroup or Bible study. Then she's overtired, sleeps too early, and gets crazy in the evening, which stresses me out beyond belief. Or when I'm out and Pippa doesn't sleep - which makes her overtired, and cranky, and she doesn't want to feed properly, so then she's hungry, and you get the picture. So here's the thing: I'm not messing with naps any more. Yes, it's a pain in the rump to schedule our outings around sleep times, but the insanity that ensues from disrupted sleep is so much worse. This is only for a short time, and someday the girls will be big and I'll be able to look back and remember how much better it was because we weren't cranky and t

Pippa's made it past 5 kgs, and doubled her birthweight! It felt at times like we'd never get here, but here we are. I'm so happy, and relieved. I'd been considering supplementing with formula, and I really didn't want to. I don't have anything against it, it's just that I was afraid it would be the beginning of the end of breastfeeding for us. But now I feel so encouraged, and so good about myself for hanging on. And I feel so much more confident that we can make this work. Thanks to all for your help and encouragement! XOXO, Sarah

How cute are they?!? On a somewhat unrelated note, I have a 'reality check' tip that I'd like to share with you all. Don't bother cleaning fingerprints off of anything until your kids have gone to bed. For the night. Because that's the ONLY time they will stay gone. Yes, you'll be asleep so does it matter really, which it does to me because I'm a bit of a neat freak these days, but it will be clean. At least until the morning. But that's the beauty of a new day - we get to start all over again. Yesterday's fingerprints make no difference to today. XOXO, Sarah

Just look at this: I don't think it's necessary to say anything more than: I rock da kitchen! XOXO, Sarah

But it sure shocked me. My psychologist says that in her opinion, the expectations I have for myself as a person and as a mother are unrealistically high. In my desire to not repeat my own mother's (biological) mistakes, I have set standards for myself that are unreachable by even the best of mothers. So I feel like a failure, because I'm not reaching the mark. Which is what we'll be working on in our sessions. Setting more realistic expectations for myself. Because the truth is, I wouldn't expect half as much from anyone I know. I would never hold anyone to the standard that I have set for me. Not that I think I'm better than anyone else or anything, it's just how I think. Anyway, just thought I'd share. XOXO, Sarah

To Do: Pick up photos Make immunisation appointment for Pippa Mop kitchen floor hang out washing Buy salad ingredients Take Pippa to Chemist to be weighed Doctor's appointment Bible study   Dinner tonight: Mountain-class pizza (pizza with heaps of toppings) Tossed Salad Garlic Bread   So hopefully, my toddler will wake up her normal self, which will make doing all this stuff that much easier. She vomited again last night (on Lachlan), after the teeth brushing. She was off her food all day, so she might be coming down with something. I fell over the stupid gate at the bottom of the stairs last night . I ended up taking the whole fall on my knees, as I was holding Pippa at the time and my arms were busy hanging on to her. I also shoved Charlie out of the way so I didn't fall on her. Scared the living daylights out of her. But we're all okay, apart from my carpet-burned and very sore knees. At any rate, I've got to go shower and dress whil

I couldn't think of a title for today. So there. We're back in our little home, and I think the time away did us all a world of good. I talked to a friend of mine from playgroup today, and she said I sounded so refreshed. I do feel that way, I suppose. We've implemented a new schedule that despite my initial protestations and crankiness, has made things run a lot more smoothly. I try not to get too bent out of shape when things don't go according to schedule, but old habits die hard. Like this morning, I set the alarm on my phone for 6AM, because that's the time I've chosen to start my day, but because I never changed the actual time on the phone to allow for daylight savings, I didn't get up until 6:30. (mine still said 5:30). But we shifted, and it's all good. Also, Philippa doesn't always feed at the time that I want, so I allow for that too. But it's helpful, to have the day broken up into chunks that way. It makes the day, and

Or maybe it's a sort of working holiday, I suppose. The girls and I have come to visit Lachlan's parents for a week, as well as to catch up with some girlfriends. The first night started out okay, but when it was time to sleep - wow, did I cop an earful from my youngest. She screamed on and off for 3 hours. That might not seem like a long time, but when you're in the thick of it, especially when you are at someone else's house, it's an eternity. I kept trying to feed her, but she didn't want it. Teething? Pain in the belly? She's not done a poo since Saturday, so maybe that's it. Anyway, with a bit of bed hopping, we settled down. Started with Charlie in the portacot, Pippa was going to sleep with me in the bed, and it ended up with Pippa in the portacot and Charlie in the bed with me. I'd be falling asleep, then be awakened by a small finger up my nose. (Not my finger, folks!) The next night was awesome, with both girls going to sleep with no proble

which is unusual for me. I mean, even when there's not much to write about, I still write stuff. The truth is, each day is pretty much identical to the one before it. So I don't know what to write. Yesterday, I asked Charlie Brown if she wanted to go shopping, and she asked me if we were going to have 'cinos. I've created a monster! We went, but she was unbelievably naughty after I'd already ordered, and for the rest of the night. One of those nights when I'm praying for bedtime to come quickly. We had takeaway last night, because I was so stressed out from doing the shopping. It made us both feel sick, so that was kind of a waste. Today, we're staying at home because it's kind of gray and overcast, plus I'm still feeling a bit sick. So we're going to try and get some cleaning up done, to prepare for our visitors this weekend. Got to go now, 'cause Charlie's gone all quiet. XOXO, Sarah

So Charlotte is an explorer, just like her Dad. She wandered away from home on Saturday while we had our backs turned, crossed the street, and kept going, just as happy as you please. Once I stopped hyperventilating, we agreed that from now on if she's out back, the garage door is to be closed. We went to this dolphin show, and it was really neat. I'll post a couple of pictures - Charlie loved it. And I loved being with my family. Waking up in a giant motel bed, with my husband and kids right there, was just about the neatest thing ever. I saw the doctor today, and I'm meeting with her again next week. In the meantime, she's prescribed a low-level medication, and she was glad I came back in, because she was concerned about me coping (or not coping, as it were). So there you go. Now I'm going to do some cleaning, because for the moment, I actually feel like doing it, and I'd like to seize that opportunity. Plus, since a friend has supplied dinner,

is just one big ball of crazy.   In the last few years, I've been through more major life events than some people get in a lifetime.   Moving? (domestic and international) Tick. Tick, tick, tick, and tick. Pregnancy? Tick. Miscarriage? Tick. Divorce? Tick. Marriage? Tick. Buying a house? Tick. Death of beloved family members? Tick. Tick, Tick, Tick, and Tick. Getting in contact with my estranged brothers? Tick. Finding a half-brother who used to be my second cousin? Tick. Finding another nephew? Tick. Childbirth? Tick, Tick. Toddlerhood? Ticking.   I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though it seems like a lot when you look at it all at once, these things didn't happen all at the same time. And they've all refined me, to some extent. I'm such a different person than I used to be. I can play different songs on my daughter's toy xylophone. I know the words to Wiggles songs. I often go out with unidentified stains 

We've been extremely busy this week, hence the lack of posting. Monday morning, we went for a walk with our pram walking group, and afterwards one of the other mums brought her littlies to our house for morning tea. She stayed until lunchtime, which was really nice. Afternoon was spent cleaning while kids were asleep, in turns. Tuesday morning, I had a doctor's appointment at 9AM, followed by playgroup at 10, then the girls and I had lunch, a brief sleep, and immunisations for Pippa in the afternoon. Wednesday was supposed to be Bible Study, but I was feeling the effects of another late night, and needed to stay home and rest. So we did. Wednesday was also library night, but that was later in the day after I'd had lots of rest. (As if anyone can rest with a sneaky, curious toddler around!) We also took Charlie Brown to the Early Childhood nurse for a checkup, which was fine. She recommended leaving toilet training until summertime, and also not worrying about getting her to

And then last night happened. And I have no one to blame but myself. We went to my Bible study group, which was fine. Philippa is going through a bit of a growth spurt (?) or something, so she now wants to feed all the time. Not a problem, if a bit uncomfortable unless we're at home, sitting in bed, with the pillows. So we come home, put Philippa in her bassinet, and get lunch for Charlotte. Clean Charlotte up, chuck her in the cot, then sit down for a cup of tea. What? It's only been an hour - why is Philippa crying? Check the nappy - well okay, I'd not want to sleep in that either. Still crying. Up on the shoulder for some burping action. This baby can burp from either end like a grown man, but after 15 minutes, when my hand is going numb, nothing is produced. Okay. Still crying. Dummy? No freakin' way, Mum. Still crying. Okay, you win. Out comes the dairy, except that she is so frantic by now that she's all over the place and has trouble attaching.

I am struggling with breastfeeding. A lot. It's mainly to do with the fact that I've got ginormous milk holders and T-Rex arms. Plus, Philippa likes to have her hands up by her face, so no matter how hard I hold them out of the way, she manages to get them in the way. It's so unbelievably frustrating. I watch other people breastfeed, and it looks so easy, so enjoyable. What am I doing wrong? Other people can actually have a snack, or surf the Internet, or have a drink while feeding. I've got to use the one free hand I have to hold the breast up, because if I don't, the weight of it causes it to slip out of her mouth. How am I going to last 10 more months?!? I don't want to be dependent on having a pillow like I was with Charlotte. I'm not going to haul a pillow with me out to the shops, or playgroup, or anywhere else we go. I must be doing something wrong here. Also, she's still doing the on-again, off-again approach. Books don't talk a

You know, one of the many things that just plain stinks about my dad being gone is that because my bio-mom isn't speaking to me, I now have no one to ask questions about what I was like as a baby. What was my first word? What foods did I eat? Was I always a pea-hater, or was it something I just picked up? Even though I've got my mom (stepmother who isn't at all a stereotypical stepmother, but rather the antithesis of Cinderella's stepmother), she didn't know me when I was a baby. So in a sense, I feel as though I'm an orphan. Like I've lost the first 5 years of my life, because I was too little to remember much, and now there isn't anyone I can ask. On a different note, we are about to enter a new phase of toddlerhood - toilet training. *Cue big tympani sounds* Charlotte is definitely not happy about poo. She had an accident in the bathtub the other week, and it really freaked her out - she tells me she is doing poo, but she also tells me s

I'm taking a hiatus from blogging for a while. I'll still email, but I'm going through something personal, and difficult. I've been living a double life. No, I'm not a lead singer for a goth punk grunge band in my spare time (spare time?!?). I've been telling everyone how rosy things are in my world since Pippa's come along, and the truth is far from it. The truth is that I'm struggling. A lot. I had to admit some harsh truths to my husband this weekend about how I'm coping (or not, as the case seems to be). The truth is that I bathe her, I change her, I feed her, and I would give my life for her, but it's not out of a sense of love. I look at her sometimes and just feel no connection to her at all. It's like she's this needy, screaming little alien, and I don't know what to do with her. Sometimes I don't even want to deal with her. But I do. I've been forcing myself to try and feel this love that I'm "supposed"

It never ends, this blessing called motherhood. Whichever the road we travel by, once we embark on this journey, we are committed to it for life. Here is to all the amazing mothers out there. When I first knew about you, I wasn't sure if I could love you, but God knew better. When I first knew about you, I was terrified that something would happen to take you away but God knew better. As days turned into weeks into months, I was so afraid to love you, in case you left us to go back to Heaven. but God knew better. Even as you were getting ready to come meet us, I wasn't sure if we could love you enough. but God knew better. The instant I saw your tiny face I thought my heart would explode into a million pieces of love and awe and wonder, all because God knew better.

There's just nothing like 'new mommy' hormones. Better than chocolate, I reckon. Here are some photos to keep you entertained while I try and remember the events surrounding Pippa's birth... I don't even have words to express what I'm feeling here... She's actually crying here, but she's still pretty cute! Me and my 'Mini-Mes' There's just nothing like 'new mommy' hormones. Better than chocolate, I reckon. Here are some photos to keep you entertained while I try and remember the events surrounding Pippa's birth...

Philippa Jane was born this morning at 3:53AM, weighing 5 pounds 12 1/2 ounces. Pictures have been taken, but haven't been uploaded to the computer yet. The birth was perfect, and we're both well - and obviously, home less than 24 hours later. Taking a few days to rest and get to know each other. Photos and birth story to follow in a few days! XOXO, Sarah

I've been getting emails from friends, offering encouragement, which has been fantastic. I got an email from a particular friend, (you know who you are) that just pierced my heart. I have been so absorbed in myself, that I have stopped appreciating what a miracle it is to be able to carry a child in my womb. So I thought I would write down some thoughts, dedicated to my unborn child, and in honour of this friend.   +++++++++++++++++++++++++   You are forming, in the secret place where time means nothing, yet everything   I treasure our private times, the hiccups the nudges, like we have our own jokes between us   I long to meet you, kiss your feet, smell your head But I already know you, my miracle, my blessing   I've been getting to know you for a while now and soon our bond will include so many other people   Maybe it's selfish, but I don't think I'm ready to share you after all?   Stay where you are, for as long as you wis

Maybe it's not just me, but the fact that I am human. I don't know. But this whole process of letting go of stuff and delegating is HARD. Example: This morning, my darling husband washed a couple of loads of laundry. It was killing me, people. Not knowing what temperature water he used, did he use fabric softener, did he wash Charlie's clothes separately, did he separate the clothes or did he just throw them in there? When I asked him what he had washed, he replied "Bits and pieces". Maybe it's because laundry is my all-time favourite task, or maybe I need to seek some professional help for my laundry 'issues'. I just have a specific way of doing things, and don't like having my system messed with. I'm the same way with other things in my life - I have a certain way of folding the clothes, a certain method of washing dishes (plastic, drinking vessels, plates & bowls, pots and pans, cutlery), etc. I've relaxed quite a bit, b

Isn't it funny how we just exist, without thinking about what a miracle it is in the first place? One molecule different, and I wouldn't be here. Or maybe I would be here, but be a profoundly different person. If my mother hadn't been my mother, or if my dad hadn't been my dad, I wouldn't be me. My whole life would be different, and wouldn't be mine - it would be someone else's life. All the choices that I've made, good bad and extremely ugly, would never have been made. And it is tempting, in thinking especially about the bad choices, to wish that I had made better decisions. If I had though, I wouldn't be here. Even bad decisions can lead to good ends. That's the beauty of having the Creator of the universe know you by name. Only He can take a shattered life and put the pieces together to make something new, something beautiful. My life on this earth isn't perfect, and that's okay. It's the life that's meant for me

As we prepare for the arrival of our daughter, I wanted to record some thoughts I've been having lately, so I can look back on them later.  Most of you know that Lachlan and I had a miscarriage in 2004. Twins, at around 7 weeks or so. If you've never felt that particular form of grief, you can imagine, but you can not know how deep it runs.  When it happened, there were days I wanted to die. I imagined driving off the road and into the ravine on our way to work each day.  I had nothing else to occupy the space where our dreams of a child had been.  I found it impossible to walk past racks of baby clothes, or look at children's books, or even teach my Sunday school class of pre-schoolers. When we fell pregnant again, in February 2006, I was terrified, but cautiously optimistic. When I started spotting again, I was certain that it was the end. In my mind, I had already lost our baby. Having it confirmed by the doctor was secondary. This time, though, I had oth

G'Day! As usual, I have left all the 'going away for the weekend' preparations to the last minute. So everything is a shambles, and we're not ready to go away, and I'm quite frankly too tired to care a whole lot. Here's a short list of what, in my opinion needs to be done before we leave tomorrow: Laundry (4 loads plus bathmat) Packing Clean out fridge (somehow we've gotten dead ants in our fridge) vacuum carpets (the downstairs is like an all-you-can-eat roach buffet, yuck) scrub toilets (I loathe stinky toilets upon return from holiday) Mop kitchen floor This isn't all stuff that I'm planning on doing myself, but rather stuff that I just think should be done before we go away. I don't think I'm being unreasonable, I just don't want to come home on Monday afternoon to a yucky dirty house. We've planned on having takeaways (takeout for the Americans) Monday night, so we don't have to stress about cooking and it can be a low-key e

I'm going to start a scrapbook of flamingo stuff. Newspaper clippings, photos, what have you. It makes me feel closer to my family, but especially my dad. So from now on, my blog will have two Friday themes. Flamingo Montoya Friday, where I post this guy: doing something crazy, and Fight the Frump Friday, in conjunction with Fabulous Fussy over at http://fussypants.typepad.com/ Oh, and by the way, our new lounges are being delivered on Thursday!!! Soft, beautiful lounges that one can actually sleep lounge on (well, most people can't, but I'm short so I'll fit quite nicely). I am SO excited! This is what they look like, but in a pretty pale sage green color. It's a little boxy in appearance for my liking, but by far kinder to the 'sitting parts' than the other ones we tested. That's all I've got for today. Off to do something productive (but not too hard!) XOXO, Sarah

I was rude. I was deeply wrong in my response to you, even if I didn't know it was you. I've been dealing with a lot, as have we all. I don't want to forget you - you're one of the most important people in my life. Please forgive my rudeness, and don't stop talking to me. I'll try and get your email from Mom, because I DO want to talk to you. I hope you are able to forgive my lapse in kindness, and I hope you know how much I love you. Love, Sarah

Not much happening here today. My family is getting ready for Dad's memorial service on Saturday, and I so wish I could be there. If I'm not taking care of everyone else's needs, I don't know how to cope with my own grief, really. That's just the way I am. I thought that today I would include a portion of what I wrote for my sister to read at the service, as well as a photo of our little cheeky monkey, who so looks like her PoPo sometimes... ================ The thing about someone dying is that we think about what kind of legacy they leave behind, or what we can learn from their life. Here is a short list of what I have learned from my Dad's life. Some funny, some serious, but all important.   - It's okay to cry, and not just for sadness. It's okay to cry when you watch Extreme Home Makeover, any Hallmark movie, commercial, or anything else that stirs your soul.   - Laughter is essential in many situations, but may not be as appreciated a

We're off for a brief visit to sunny Queensland until Monday, so Happy Easter to all! XOXO, Sarah

I thought I heard something downstairs, so I jumped up from the computer, and thundered down the stairs, only to find out that it was nothing, but in thundering down the stairs (is there any other way when you're 7 months pregnant?!?), I woke up Charlie Brown, who was sleeping peacefully and now wants to get up and play even though she is still tired. Smooth Move, Ex-Lax! (I haven't said that in years!) So now I'm going to get her up before she screams herself into apoplexy or shreds her almost cleared up face in frustration (she would have made a good Israelite, with the gnashing and wailing and tearing of hair). Better luck next time! XOXO, Sarah

So every morning at 6:45, and every evening at supper time, this idiot (and I don't normally use that word) zooms down our street in his souped up junk-mobile, making all kinds of racket. Apart from how much the volume level bothers me, the velocity at which this guy proceeds down our tranquil street is absolutely unsafe, illegal, and totally unnecessary. So this morning I was waiting, with my camera - I was determined to make a video of his activity, and take it into the police station, complete with license plate number. Wouldn't you know it, he drove a different way today and instead of gathering speed the length of the block, started at the alley halfway and so wasn't going nearly as fast. I'm still going to investigate, and get his license plate number though, and make a report to the police. Seriously, if someone were crossing the street, there is NO WAY this guy could stop or avoid sending them into the next street. I am fed up with people who conside

This last week has not been my absolute favourite in terms of motherhood. Aside from the fact that I'm absolutely knackered, and emotionally stretched pretty thin, Charlie is cutting her top two canines, drooling all over everything, whiny, whiny, whiny, blowing snot bubbles like a champion, and has another skin infection. We've decided that since regulating her diet isn't really working to get rid of the eczema, probably because of environmental factors (namely house dust), that we'll just do the best we can, and treat the flare-ups for now. We've got a referral to a paediatrician in May, so we'll revisit it then. I'm also wary of using a lot of cortisone on her face, because she's got this patch on her ankle (where we've had to frequently use cortisone) that's become quite hairy. Seriously, I don't want my little girl to be the only one at playgroup with a beard! I can't keep putting this pressure on myself to 'cure'

Arthur Boudman Carter    LEWISBURG - Art Carter left this world today to begin his new life with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was Art's firm and steadfast belief that this world is not our final destination in this journey we call life, but rather just the beginning and that we will all end up to spend eternity somewhere else. He believed that this world was just simply a place where we get to chose where that eternity will be. Arthur Boudman Carter, 59, of 3010 Buffalo Rd. , died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at his home. He was born May 26, 1948, in Danville , a son of Alice Louise (Boudman) Carter of Milton and the late Walter Eugene Carter. He was married for over 11 years to the former Josephine "Josie" Fox who survives. Art graduated from Milton High School in 1966. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the Navy on riverboat patrols in Vietnam . He was employed as a welder and band saw operator at AC&F Industries in Milton fo