I haven't posted any house pics for a while, so thought it was time...
I had to share these beauties with you. They are enormous!
And these are just pretty...
Laney and I made these lanterns this morning.
Well I know I have fallen back into my bad blogging habits, but I have excuses.. really. I have been busy getting myself into some new good habits. Over the festive season, I, like many others, have been reflecting on the past year, and realised that I really wanted and needed to make some changes in my life.
The past year has been a rollercoaster of a year. And although it was really tough at times, it was also kinda special at others. We bought this home of ours, which was a definitely a highlight. We celebrated our baby's first birthday, and watched her walk for the first time. Our big girl started kinder, and ballet - which she has really enjoyed. Our magazine has grown and changed, and helped me learn so much - about people, running a business, and myself. We also bought our sweet little Kombi, and took it for fun trips. On the other hand, this year has brought some tough times. With the magazine putting a lot of stress in our lives, the renovations being tough on Ro's body, moving house (which Laney really didn't enjoy) and Ro and I generally feeling overworked, and underappreciated a lot of the time. BUT wait, this year is going to be different! And I am already organised and ready to face the year with enthusiasm.
I have written a list, of all the things that I want to achieve this year. I have already cleaned up my desk, and started a new work routine that will allow me to prioritise my time better. There are going to be more trips away - with nothing but R & R on the schedule. There will be more playtime with the girls. There will be work days that are planned and productive. And there will be a healthier lifestyle with plenty of walking and water. And there will also be time for just Ro and I to have adult conversations that don't involve children, thaw or house stuff. Oh, and lots of dinners with friends and family.
I hope you are having a wonderful start to the year, with many positive thoughts about the future. I know I am.
Cheers,
Kim
Some Christmas snaps (with my lovely new camera)
We dined alfresco on Christmas day, with family
This was the biggest hit on the day - Tia's new car
Tia has a new favourite nook
We recently spent the afternoon at Kate's farm. (Thanks Steph for suggesting it!) She crocheted up a storm while I watched in awe.
We have been away for the weekend and I am now frantic with all the things I want to do before Christmas. Aargh! I love this time, but I am a little crazy at the moment. I guess I could have not chosen to go away and relax on the weekend. But with our Kombi beckoning us away, how could we resist. I think I might just be more crazy now, if I hadn't taken the time off. It was so nice.
Highlights of the weekend...
Holding Tia's hand as she did laps of our campsite, because there were tears whenever we stopped. (She will be walking so soon!)
Watching Laney run away from the waves, and then run straight back to the water.
Watching Ro fly our new super stunt kite on the beach.
Sitting around drinking beers with new friends.
Talking to Ro, with no (Thaw, computer, housework) distractions.
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.
Not that long ago I joined a group of crafters who are a very talented and gorgeous bunch of chicks. They are all lovely to hang out with and I have lots of fun catching up with them once a fortnight. Although initially I felt a little intimidated by the talent they all have for their chosen craft (as I am a wannabe, and not really good at anything crafty) I have found that they have inspired me to do things more creatively in general. As I started planning for Christmas, I have been thinking, "what can I make for....." or "how can I wrap these". Instead of just going to the shop and buying presents and patterned wrapping paper, I am willing to give myself a go at doing it myself. This is not something I really would have attempted in the past. And I am really enjoying it.
I love to cook and bake, and generally struggle to find time for it, but I have been making time to do it. Making cupcakes and chocolates. And I have also been practicing my new crafty skill of crocheting. It's nice to find something that relaxes me, and involves "making". So thanks to all of you lovely girls, for inspiring me.
My first attempt at a crocheted flower, which I made into a brooch for a friend's birthday.
My first crocheted heart. It's hanging on our tree now.
My little hand-made chockies which I gave my crafty friends at our last get-together.
Our little Dottie is sick, and hopefully will be OK by the weekend.
Laney is coming down off a week-long birthday high.
We've been enjoying dining alfresco in our new pergola - until the weather turned! This is Ro showing off his homegrown potatoes.
Kisses...
Barbie roasts with all the veg from our own garden.
Discovered we actually had a kitchen table under all that mess.
Love this picture Laney drew of me in my car.
OK, so I know I have been slack. My Mum, blogging friends, old friends in Melbourne and anyone else who I see tells me I "really should update" my blog. I realise I have been slack, and I apologise wholeheartedly. Just to let you all know what has been holding me up - it's this little thing called Thaw. My, how I would like to swear as I write this, but I am just not that rude. OK, so maybe I would if this was verbal, but I just can't bear to write it. This issue was a.. well... hard one. We left lots of things to the last minute, and consequently had a rough couple of weeks leading up to the print deadline. There were temper tantrums from the adults instead of the children, there was lots of wine consumed, and a lot of late nights and restless sleeps. But in the end we got it done, and came out the other end with a magazine. And I think it looks pretty good, just quietly. I promise I will post more regularly now.
Tia loves that tinsel
No real tree for us. First we have to put it together.
Our little backyard is an awesome oasis now. So green and now with a table and chairs under cover.
This is where we have hung out every night since Ro put the roof on the pergola, and we got our second-hand table and chairs.
The kitchen table represents the last few days well. Laney's birthday presents and thaw orders ready for the post.It's been a crazy balancing act.
A special day on our advent calendar. Our beautiful Laney's 4th birthday.
I have been watching this classic mini-series with Laney and as a mum I think I even appreciate the little red-headed girl even more than I did when I was a little girl myself. She is feisty and sticks up for herself, is honest, imaginative and clever. I just love it. The characters are just so good, and I love the idea of having many "kindred spirits" come into your life.
OK, so I also had a thing for Gilbert.
This is just before she breaks her slate over Gilberts head, I think. Love that bit!
I have been taking photos lately, so that I can show you all what I have been doing, without having to write much. I much prefer saying it with pictures. (Thanks to Pete for some of the family shots.)
We bought Laney new bathers recently, so we had to model them. Here's serious....
Here is excited...
We've done a bit of drawing...
Picnic-ing...
Catching up with family for important celebrations....
The happy couple talked about wedding plans...
We enjoyed the weather...
by having bbq's, and eating sausages in bread...
and now the restrictions have loosened, even watered the garden with a (shock, horror) hose!
Look at the gorgeous rewards Ro's hard work in reaping...
I have even been experimenting in preparation for the silly season...
My blanket will be ready, just in time for Summer. Oh well.
Man, it is hard to be disciplined when you go down to the beach for a break. The beer and fish 'n' chips were calling to me. I was very well behaved considering the temptations around me, and have still managed to maintain the 4 kilo weightloss that I have achieved so far on this new regime. But I certainly didn't lose any weight while we were down there.
Had a wonderful time playing in the sand with the girls in Apollo Bay, where we stayed for just two nights. Just what the doctor ordered for all of us. We couldn't get the smile off Helena's face. (Not that you would want to really.)
Am getting around as much as possible by foot and by my fabulous old Malvern Star. (Love my new basket. It fits quite a bit in there.) Let's hope the weight keeps coming off.
Hope you are enjoying the sunshine as much as me.
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