Update for August

Still very busy here as usual.  I'm totally in the swing of full-time work again so that is good.

We finally bought a new camera on the weekend as it was Michael's 2nd Birthday on Friday 27th and when we tried to get video and some pictures the camera really didn't work at all (after putting in new charged batteries).  So we got a very nice little Olympus camera which has heaps of features (I have to read the manual) and has HD video on it, rechargable battery etc.  They chucked in a SD card thing too so that was a saving of about $30.

My final massage course day is on Sunday, Fathers Day YAY.  I love the course, but I am just too busy to keep going.  It is a lot of work and a lot of study which I can't give my full attention to at the moment.  The final exam is on Sunday and then I have to do prac.  I will do this and then leave it for a while.

It was Michael's birthday on Friday.  We didn't really have a party or anything but he was very spoilt.  Here he is having some cake

As the camera wasn't working we couldn't really take any pics, but managed to get this one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MICHAEL

He was very spoilt and loves all his pressies.

I decided to make some more hand made soap.  I bought a kit ages ago and made some.  It worked really well but to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed by the smell or the colour.  I didn't make anymore but I have found some very cool websites on soap and thought I would give it another go.

With my leftover kit, I had Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, some Shea butter and some cucumber fragrance.  I bought a big tin of olive oil as it was on special and made some Cucumber Soap.

The first pic is of the oils melting, then mixing the Lye and Oils together - I did this last night.  I thought it would fit in an old plastic loaf pan I had but there was too much soap for it.  I quickly had to grab an oldish Decor lunchbox type container.  It was an abosolute pain to get the soap out of but was ok for a mould.

Next pic is it out of the mould and then cut up.  I had Candula petals in the pack so I sprinkled it on top.  Looks good for show.  Now it needs to cure for 3 weeks and then ready to go.  It feels quite nice and silky, still a little tiny bit caustic (I didn't have gloves that fit properly) on the skin still though.  Have to get some gloves.

We have had some issues with the airconditioning.  One company came out but only quoted on split system individual units as I got their name via a department store and they "wanted to stay loyal to them" so didnt give me any other options.  Total price approx $8K!!

Second company promised to show at about 4.30pm.  At 5.30pm called to say over 1 hrs away.  We were going out so offered to come at 7.30am next morning.  OK with me.  Never called back or turned up.

Third company on time, listed to what I wanted, made suggestion but didnt really give pro's or cons etc, measured up - going well.  Quote came in $13K!!!!!!! Holy cow.

Fourth company said he would call me when he was in the area.  Didn't hear from him, but then he called on Saturday.  Can he come on Saturday afternoon - sure no probs.  Came along - very knowledgeable, offered lots of suggestions.  Will get us the unit and Greg can install the ducting and then they will hook up.  He is pretty flexible.  Waiting on quote to come through for partial DIY.

Fingers crossed it's not too exy..............I SO need to win lotto or something.

Take care

Hello again

Hello again!

Been away for a while but always checking the blogs I love.

I am back to full time work now and it is going great.  The first Monday I work from home with Michael, and the second I have as a Flexi day (or RDO - we get fortnightly ones).  Overall it has been going great!!  Loving the $$$$ of course!  Still attempting to get into a routine.  Dinners are my biggest nightmare really and Greg and I did discuss getting a cleaner but we both are fairly good at that so we are going to see how we go.

On Friday, even though I really didn't feel like it, I vacuumed the whole house and did the bathroom/toilet.  This just made things a lot easier for the weekend and it took 30mins max.  The house was clean and tidy and the rest of the night was ours (Greg cooked dinner).  I am trying to do a bit each night, to make it easier overall for the weekend.  So far so good!!

I'm doing my massage course, about 3 weekends to go.  I'm loving it but there is just not enoough time to practice!!!  I am going to give Jemma a massage this week and ask Courtney if she wants one too.  I'm so happy my hands are coping with doing it and I am really enjoying the course.  I would love to continue to get my Certificate, but maybe not just yet -Christmas is coming!!!!

We went up to mum and dad's on the weekend, although they are not there as they are away in their caravan.  We saw Nat and Marty and had a coffee (they live with M&D now).  I made some very easy and extremely yummy muffins.  They don't look like much BUT OMG they are so nice.  The take 20mins to make and then about 20mins to cook.  Totally worth it.

Carrot & Walnut muffins

¼ Cup flour (plain)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp bicarb soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground allspice
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup sultanas


½ cup oil
2 eggs
200g carrots, finely grated


Sieve the first 5 ingredients into a large bowl. Add brown sugar and sultanas and mix these evenly through the dry ingredients, breaking any lumps.

In another bowl, beat the oil and eggs together and add the finely grated carrot – mix together.

Tip the oil and egg mix into the dry mixture. Taking care not to overmix, fold everything together until there are no more unmixed lumps of flour.

Spray a 12 med sized muffin pan with non stick spray and put about ¼ cup of mix into each pan.

Bake at 190 deg C for about 15 mins (I do it for about 20mins) or until the tops of the muffins spring back when pressed.

Delicious warm or cool. I sprinkle with icing sugar to serve. YUM


After Nat and Marty's we took the back roads back to the freeway and it was nice looking at all the different places.  We chatted about moving up that way.  We probably wouldn't have a mortgage and a heaps nicer house, but we love our area - its so quiet and safe.  There are a lot of ferals up that way (and a lot of lovely people too), but I would worry if we had a place next door to ferals.  Our neighbours are really nice here.  We are going ok financially so better off here I think.  Also, the travel would kill me.  I have a good job, so I would continue working.  All in all, I really think, at this stage, we are better off staying put!!!  I'm happy with that.

We cut Michaels hair on Sunday.  Oh my that was an effort.  He screamed!!   The neighbours probably thought we were killing him.  He looks SO different.  Now is certainly a little boy!!!

Before with Daddy on the bike

With Daddy

Pre-haircut - blondie (hmm where did that come from??)

OMG is that the same little boy!!!!!  Looking like Daddy now - where is that blond hair?????

Back view

Still some straggly bits, but a good job for all the drama involved!!!

We have continually used our fire this winter, but one night I thought we could do with a blast of warm as we had run out of wood.  Greg turned on the airconditioner and it doesn't work!!!!  It is a very old, hole in the wall type.  Harvey Norman has a 4 years interest free thing at the moment and we want to have something in the hall too (so we can cool the bedrooms in Summer), so I am getting a quote this week for that. 

Thank goodness I have gone back to FT work - the universe must have been telling me something huh?!

We are having a "Family Fun Day" on Sunday.  I have decided we have to do this every fortnight (or at least every month).  Will update after that.  Have a lovely week.

Rach :-)