Quiet productive long weekend over

It has been a quiet, yet productive long weekend.  We had beautiful weather but unfortunately as the boys were unwell we didn't end up going anywhere.  I tidied up the BBQ area/porch and put plants into the two big pots at the front.

I did a fair bit of cooking which was enjoyable.  Here is my latest, Mum's Banana Loaf.  I had three very yukky bananas which were past even smoothie stage.  I made my mum's recipe, which is a great recipe - not too fattening and incredibly tasty.  It only took me about 10 mins to whip up and 45 mins to cook.  Honestly it probably cost about $2 to make and is delicious.

I had to go into the shops to grab a few things.  I find the big Westfield extremely soul destroying - it is so busy, noisy and every sign says buy me, buy me - so much STUFF.  I cannot fathom how people would actually enjoy a trip there, but apparently many people do and I am the exception.  I was happy when I was heading home.

I went to a shop called the Reject Shop.  It is a big chain store of "stuff" but I do find some good buys there.  I need to use product on my hair because it is quite dry and can get frizzy.  If you buy the stuff at the supermarket it is nearly $10.  At the hairdresser's it is about 3x this amount and at the Reject Shop it is $3 for similar stuff.  I get the $3 stuff - it works and I can afford it.

I also needed a new hair brush.  I got a 50/50 nylon/boar bristle brush for $5 from the Reject Shop.  A similar one at Priceline was $20.  I got a few other things such as razors and toothbrushes.  All up I spent $16.50 at the Reject Shop, less than what one hairbrush at Priceline would have cost, pretty happy with that and it feels nice on my hair.

I had to take Michael and Ben to have blood taken and saliva/cheek swabs today at RNS Hospital as Ben is getting further testing for Fragile X and they both are part of a research group for Fragile X at the moment.  Michael was so GOOD, he didn't even flinch when his blood was taken.  Ben, on the other hand, screamed loud enough for him and Michael.  That little boy is extremely strong when he puts his mind to it and it took all my strength to hold him for the test.  Poor little munchkin.  However - good old McDonalds makes everything better and soon all was forgotten.  It should be the last of the invasive testing for my boys thank goodness.

At work tomorrow and Thursday and have a fun weekend planned with friends.  Life is good.