lanne

a lil gift

Am I the only one with a messy desktop?

I cleaned up *coughs* 150gb of files over the last two days.. ha.. not disorganised as THAT (i deleted alot of old client soocs etc).. 

but ohhh my desktop.. it is such a pain.. 

see.. i shove/save stuff on the desktop and I am the queeeeeen of the screenshot.. and they end up on the desktop.. and i download stuff and make stuff and throw it there.. and .. 

this is the bad bit

every few weeks when i can no longer see underneath... i make a folder called.. file it, sort it.. desktop crap etc  and shove it all in there and start again... these folders went 9 deep rotfl.. i am that bad!

So today I had a stroke of genius (imho) and made this desktop... works brilliantly for me - I can now 'organise the files under the headings - which should make filing easier.. in theory

if you want a copy - leave me a comment below and download here - 

http://rcpt.yousendit.com/647427822/ddc5e644bd7365ad69549d914b7008c1 ENJOY

5 days a week!!!

Now that the shock of school has settled, and my fave lil dude went to school without too much fuss this morning (it helped that daddy drove him and i didnt have to see the sad face).. 

i am all about my new found 5 day work week.. 5 days.. in a row.. all at once.. 5 days... 8:45ish - 2... (less time spent at the gym on my way home from school. EVERY DAY!!

This is feeling sooooo good. I used to have this. I used tohave that.. ahh its friday feeling... all that faded away when I had lochs, and a few weeks later started back at the old job, and very new hours.. my 40 (60) hour work week was pushed down to 30.. and i did them whenever he slept.. 

He slept for 7 - 15 mins at a time. I worked every one of them.. I worked first thing in the morning till andrew went to work and if he looked happy in a rocker etc i worked on emails and things i could do with a noisy gurgling baby. I worked from 7pm, whilst andrew did the bed routine) until midnight or 1 and then up again at 5. I worked weekends and days and nights and whenever my mum had an rdo..or did an early shift and could come and relieve me. 

Then he got bigger and i changed jobs and i got up at 4:30/5am and drove to the city, parked, ate breakfast at my desk and worked until 3 so i could drive to child care and get him.. and work a few nights a week so that i could keep day care to 2 days. lucky for me the govt role was flexible, and i was working on pwl every other night. 

Then i worked 3 full days, and he was in care and i ran and chased myself all day only to get home ..put him to bed and work on pwl.. it was kinda nice to be grown up again and child free and working outside the home.. but it meant long days and bumpy interactions at each end of the day sometimes. 

It did get easier as he got older.. and last year was OK i got a few hours a couple of days a week plus nights.. doing pwl full time means FULL TIME hours.. and if you dont get them during the day you work all night. 

I have seen many many 3 and 4 am finishes in this last year and too many 6 and 7am starts soon after

For the last 6 weeks . no childcare.. no break and a tonne of work has left me struggling.. i am smothered and drowning and not coping.. so this feels allll very luxurious.. we are finding a routine and balance. 

I expect there will still be late nights.. but there will also be the gym, and some nights off and some time to breath and focus.. on work and on family. 

So today I am purging and cleaning and cleaning and purging.. I have to confess.. i am a hoarder. i keep every photo.even the duds.. every photo.. 5ish mb each.. every photo

today i purge and delete.. my Tb drives are filling and it has to go! 

and then i will have lots of free space for creativity and progress. 2009 will be big!

100 reasons why

the net is full of lists but this was a great resource.. (more for americans but it might help Aussies to find something similar)..

THANKS - Heather who's blog I borrowed this from (she borrowed it from Martha so i think its ok ;)

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It

Because You Have Too Much Stuff

1. 1.4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding & clutter.
2. People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.
3. 80 percent of what we own we never use.
4. 1800GotJunk.com
Pay someone else to take out the (big, cumbersome) trash.
5. Publicstorage.com
Lock it up in more than 2,100 locations around the U.S.
6. redshield.org
Schedule a pickup with your local Salvation Army.
7. earth911.org
Find local recycling and reuse programs for all kinds of household items.

Because It's Fun
8.  127sale.com
Set up shop at the World's Longest Yard Sale, August 2-5, along 450 miles of Highway 127 in the southeastern U.S.
9. Or peddle your wares in your own front yard on National Garage Sale Day, August 10.
10. Swaporamarama.org
Attend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops.
11. Wildzipper.com
Watch as a pile of your favorite old T-shirts is converted into a quilt.

Because Someone Else Needs It
Cell Phones
12. Verizonwireless.com
Put a refurbished phone (of any brand) into the hands of a domestic violence victim.
13. Eco-cell.com
Or let its sale benefit an environmental charity.
14. Care.org
Send a phone to the field staff of a poverty-fighting mission.

Digital Cameras
15. Operationhomefront.net
Help keep service members in touch with their families.

All Technology
16. Rethink.Ebay.com
Work with charities to find homes for consumer electronics.
17. youthfortechnology.org
Put scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.

Air Miles
18. Redcross.org
For Red Cross staff and volunteers
19. Heromiles.com
For deployed soldiers
20. Marrow.org
For transplant patients
21. Childrenscancerassociation.org
For terminally ill kids

Furniture & Appliances
22. excessaccess.org
Match your household items with a local non-profit's wish list.
23. help1up.org
Furnish homes for disaster victims.
24. dressforsuccess.org
Give interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.
25. makingmemories.org
Donate a wedding gown to benefit breast-cancer patients.
26. www.operationfairydust.org
Send formal wear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom.
27. onewarmcoat.org
A free coat to anyone who needs one.
28. boulderrunning.com
Ship shoes and sportswear to struggling athletes around the world.

Other
29. Suitcasesforkids.org
Supply children in foster care with luggage.
30. Uniteforsight.org & givethegiftofsight.org
Send eyewear to men and women in underdeveloped countries.
31. Savethechildren.org
Convert American Express credit card points to cash donations.
32. Cartalk.com
Donate a used vehicle to support your local public radio station.
33. Booksforafrica.org
Give everything from storybooks to encyclopedias.
34. Cap4pets.org
Send towels and newspapers to animal shelters.
35. Goodwill.org
Fund job training programs and social services.
36. Freecycle.org
Post donations for charities (and regular folks) to claim.
37. Habitat.org
Donate leftover building supplies to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores.

Computers
38. Cristina.org
Technology and training for the disabled and disadvantaged.
39. Sharetechnology.org
Connecting donations with charities across the U.S.
40. Worldcomputerexchange.org
Send computers to more than 50 developing countries.

Because It Can Be Turned Into Something Else
41. Nikereuseashoe.com
Recycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.
42. Patagonia.com
Donated Capilene base layers become polyester fibers for new Capilene garments.
43. Pangea organics' packaging becomes an herb garden when planted in soil.
44. Cargo cosmetics' PlantLove lipstick tubes come in plantable boxes that sprout wildflowers.
45. Pencilthings.com
Old newspapers become colored pencils.
46. Vivaterra.com
Rubber tires become sleek purses...
47. Passchal.com
...or rugged iPod covers.
48. Gaiam.com
Plastic soda bottles become durable hammocks.
49. Recycline.com
Yogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors.

Because It Will Make Your Life Better
50. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent.
51. Erase a $10K credit card debt (with an average interest rate) 65 percent faster -- and pay 75 percent less total interest -- when you pay double the typical minimum monthly payment.
52. Download security software like Stopzilla to keep a lid on computer pop-ups.
53. Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find.

Because You Can Get Something Back
54. Return six MAC Cosmetics containers to any MAC store and receive a free lipstick.
55. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new one.
56. Coinstar.com
Easily convert spare change into "real" money.
57. Craigslist.org
Sell it to your neighbors.
58. ebay.com
Sell it to anyone.
59. giftcardbuyback.com.
Get cash for gift cards you'll never use.
60 Paperbackswap.com
Trade the books you have for the ones you want.
61. Peerflix.com
Trade the DVDs you've seen for the ones you haven't.
62. Spun.com
Clear off your CD shelves, and make money in the process.
63. Titletrader.com
The great entertainment exchange: books, music, movies, and games, all swapped in one place.

Because It's Old/Expired
64. energystar.gov
Replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones saves money and fuel.
65. Running shoes should be retired after 300 to 500 miles in order to prevent injuries.
66. Deep-six your toothbrush every three to four months.
67. Swap your pitcher's water filter every two months (or as directed).
68. Change out disposable air conditioner filters once a month during cooling season.
69 Replace the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year.
70. foodsafety.gov
Find the USDA's recommended storage limits for refrigerated and frozen food.
71. Throw out mascara and moisturizer after three months.
72. Discard foundation and sunscreen after six months to a year.
73. Keep concealer, lipstick, eye- and lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows for only a year and a half to two years.
74.-76. Say goodbye to the dried-out remnants of your favorite no-longer-available lipstick, and check outthreecustom.com, T.J.Maxx stores, or Lancome's beauty bye-bye program for replacements or duplicates of discontinued cosmetics.

Because You Don't Want to Suffer from "Stuck Song Syndrome"
77. And these five tunes are among the most persistent: Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" jingle, "We Will Rock You," the "Mission Impossible" theme, "YMCA," and "It's a Small World After All." (Tip: Try drowning them out with classical music, which is less likely to haunt you after it's turned off.)

Because the Last Thing You Need Is More Paper Lying Around
78. File your taxes through an authorized IRS e-file provider.
79. Eliminate paper statements by banking and paying bills online.
80. Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop unwanted credit card solicitations.
81. Opt out of mailing and telemarketing lists by logging on to dmaconsumers.org.

Because There's a Better Option
82. Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky Yellow and White Pages volumes.
83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.
84. Read "Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man," by J. Courtney Sullivan (Warner Books, $14, 2007).

Because You Don't Want to End Up Like Them
85. Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations"
86. Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale in "Grey Gardens"
87. Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple"
88. The family in the documentary "Packrat" (packratthemovie.com)
89. The Bronx, New York, man who, in 2003, was trapped in his home under an avalanche of books and newspapers for two days before being rescued.

Because If They Said It, It's Probably True
90. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci
91. "Less is more." -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
92. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris
93. "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." -Johnny Mercer
94. "The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don't want." -Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, "Going My Way"

Or Just Because...
95. It has no value, sentimental or monetary.
96. It hasn't been used in over a year.
97. There is no logical place to keep it.
98. It doesn't work.
99. An ex gave it to you.
100. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?

Because You Have Too Much Stuff

1. 1.4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding & clutter.
2. People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.
3. 80 percent of what we own we never use.
4. 1800GotJunk.com
Pay someone else to take out the (big, cumbersome) trash.
5. Publicstorage.com
Lock it up in more than 2,100 locations around the U.S.
6. redshield.org
Schedule a pickup with your local Salvation Army.
7. earth911.org
Find local recycling and reuse programs for all kinds of household items.

Because It's Fun
8.  127sale.com
Set up shop at the World's Longest Yard Sale, August 2-5, along 450 miles of Highway 127 in the southeastern U.S.
9. Or peddle your wares in your own front yard on National Garage Sale Day, August 10.
10. Swaporamarama.org
Attend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops.
11. Wildzipper.com
Watch as a pile of your favorite old T-shirts is converted into a quilt.

Because Someone Else Needs It
Cell Phones
12. Verizonwireless.com
Put a refurbished phone (of any brand) into the hands of a domestic violence victim.
13. Eco-cell.com
Or let its sale benefit an environmental charity.
14. Care.org
Send a phone to the field staff of a poverty-fighting mission.

Digital Cameras
15. Operationhomefront.net
Help keep service members in touch with their families.

All Technology
16. Rethink.Ebay.com
Work with charities to find homes for consumer electronics.
17. youthfortechnology.org
Put scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.

Air Miles
18. Redcross.org
For Red Cross staff and volunteers
19. Heromiles.com
For deployed soldiers
20. Marrow.org
For transplant patients
21. Childrenscancerassociation.org
For terminally ill kids

Furniture & Appliances
22. excessaccess.org
Match your household items with a local non-profit's wish list.
23. help1up.org
Furnish homes for disaster victims.
24. dressforsuccess.org
Give interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.
25. makingmemories.org
Donate a wedding gown to benefit breast-cancer patients.
26. www.operationfairydust.org
Send formal wear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom.
27. onewarmcoat.org
A free coat to anyone who needs one.
28. boulderrunning.com
Ship shoes and sportswear to struggling athletes around the world.

Other
29. Suitcasesforkids.org
Supply children in foster care with luggage.
30. Uniteforsight.org & givethegiftofsight.org
Send eyewear to men and women in underdeveloped countries.
31. Savethechildren.org
Convert American Express credit card points to cash donations.
32. Cartalk.com
Donate a used vehicle to support your local public radio station.
33. Booksforafrica.org
Give everything from storybooks to encyclopedias.
34. Cap4pets.org
Send towels and newspapers to animal shelters.
35. Goodwill.org
Fund job training programs and social services.
36. Freecycle.org
Post donations for charities (and regular folks) to claim.
37. Habitat.org
Donate leftover building supplies to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores.

Computers
38. Cristina.org
Technology and training for the disabled and disadvantaged.
39. Sharetechnology.org
Connecting donations with charities across the U.S.
40. Worldcomputerexchange.org
Send computers to more than 50 developing countries.

Because It Can Be Turned Into Something Else
41. Nikereuseashoe.com
Recycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.
42. Patagonia.com
Donated Capilene base layers become polyester fibers for new Capilene garments.
43. Pangea organics' packaging becomes an herb garden when planted in soil.
44. Cargo cosmetics' PlantLove lipstick tubes come in plantable boxes that sprout wildflowers.
45. Pencilthings.com
Old newspapers become colored pencils.
46. Vivaterra.com
Rubber tires become sleek purses...
47. Passchal.com
...or rugged iPod covers.
48. Gaiam.com
Plastic soda bottles become durable hammocks.
49. Recycline.com
Yogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors.

Because It Will Make Your Life Better
50. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent.
51. Erase a $10K credit card debt (with an average interest rate) 65 percent faster -- and pay 75 percent less total interest -- when you pay double the typical minimum monthly payment.
52. Download security software like Stopzilla to keep a lid on computer pop-ups.
53. Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find.

Because You Can Get Something Back
54. Return six MAC Cosmetics containers to any MAC store and receive a free lipstick.
55. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new one.
56. Coinstar.com
Easily convert spare change into "real" money.
57. Craigslist.org
Sell it to your neighbors.
58. ebay.com
Sell it to anyone.
59. giftcardbuyback.com.
Get cash for gift cards you'll never use.
60 Paperbackswap.com
Trade the books you have for the ones you want.
61. Peerflix.com
Trade the DVDs you've seen for the ones you haven't.
62. Spun.com
Clear off your CD shelves, and make money in the process.
63. Titletrader.com
The great entertainment exchange: books, music, movies, and games, all swapped in one place.

Because It's Old/Expired
64. energystar.gov
Replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones saves money and fuel.
65. Running shoes should be retired after 300 to 500 miles in order to prevent injuries.
66. Deep-six your toothbrush every three to four months.
67. Swap your pitcher's water filter every two months (or as directed).
68. Change out disposable air conditioner filters once a month during cooling season.
69 Replace the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year.
70. foodsafety.gov
Find the USDA's recommended storage limits for refrigerated and frozen food.
71. Throw out mascara and moisturizer after three months.
72. Discard foundation and sunscreen after six months to a year.
73. Keep concealer, lipstick, eye- and lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows for only a year and a half to two years.
74.-76. Say goodbye to the dried-out remnants of your favorite no-longer-available lipstick, and check outthreecustom.com, T.J.Maxx stores, or Lancome's beauty bye-bye program for replacements or duplicates of discontinued cosmetics.

Because You Don't Want to Suffer from "Stuck Song Syndrome"
77. And these five tunes are among the most persistent: Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" jingle, "We Will Rock You," the "Mission Impossible" theme, "YMCA," and "It's a Small World After All." (Tip: Try drowning them out with classical music, which is less likely to haunt you after it's turned off.)

Because the Last Thing You Need Is More Paper Lying Around
78. File your taxes through an authorized IRS e-file provider.
79. Eliminate paper statements by banking and paying bills online.
80. Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop unwanted credit card solicitations.
81. Opt out of mailing and telemarketing lists by logging on to dmaconsumers.org.

Because There's a Better Option
82. Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky Yellow and White Pages volumes.
83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.
84. Read "Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man," by J. Courtney Sullivan (Warner Books, $14, 2007).

Because You Don't Want to End Up Like Them
85. Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations"
86. Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale in "Grey Gardens"
87. Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple"
88. The family in the documentary "Packrat" (packratthemovie.com)
89. The Bronx, New York, man who, in 2003, was trapped in his home under an avalanche of books and newspapers for two days before being rescued.

Because If They Said It, It's Probably True
90. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci
91. "Less is more." -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
92. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris
93. "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." -Johnny Mercer
94. "The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don't want." -Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, "Going My Way"

Or Just Because...
95. It has no value, sentimental or monetary.
96. It hasn't been used in over a year.
97. There is no logical place to keep it.
98. It doesn't work.
99. An ex gave it to you.
100. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?

secret mission

this morning lochs announced that he wasn't going to school. 

no. 

no thanks. not today.. no school. 

We convinced him to give it a go and jump in the car. It wasn't going well. :( He was sad and a lil nervous. 

I began the following conversation:

Come in Secret Agent Lochie - come in Secret Agent Lochie.. 

-Yes

Secret Agent Lochie - this is Mummypenny... we have a secret mission we need you to complete. 

- Secret agent reporting for duty Mummypenny. 

Your first mission - if you choose to accept it. is to infiltrate the prep classroom. Do you accept the mission

- ACCEPTING MISSION!!

Mission One is to find two really great things about prep today and report these back to mission headquarters. 

- OK!!!

Mission Two is to pee in the school toilet. Today you must visit the toilet block and pee. 

*giggling*

- Mummypenny I accept the mission. 

Mission Three is to find horses on the way to school. Just in case we need to use them in a future mission. 

- Mummypenny I accept the mission. *pee pee pee peee peeeeee*

Mummypenny- over and out. 

and so Lochie phoned into mission control on his index finger phone several times in the remainder of the trip.. 

He found the horses (mummypenny was impressed!) which I knew he would but I wanted him to achieve some success before he even got to the school gate. The peeing (i like shock value sometimes) but more importantly.. he didnt go to the toilet yesterday cause there was a spider in the toilet (and so he just pretended and the teachers didnt seem to notice).. and all was well.. so.. we def dont want that to be a habit.. and last but not least.. i fully intend to use those two great things against him come the same routine tomorrow.. LOL

First day of school.. conquered!

We did it. 

He was super nervous, but hid it well and was very brave.. He made it into the classroom *the pouring rain was a great distraction* and we met some other kids and they ushered the parents out.. 

We said good bye.. and left him. 

I have drawn a lil heart on his ankle (inside his sock) so he could check it and know i loved him (this worked well last year for preschool too).. and helped again today. 

He did tear up as we walked out of sight but he was OK and no where near as bad as I was expecting. 

I did tear up in the car but all under control quickly enough. How is my baby boy this grown up?

He is absolutely adorable.. we had a mini photo session before school, working with the pouring rain..we managed a few typical queensland/aussie before school starts photos.. it had to be done. 

I just love the school shoes, the fact he HAD to play air guitar... that he stood next to his dad for some photos.. and thos big broad brim hats (ack but.. safer in our sun). 

Check out the glasses.. I am yet to score a good photo of him in them.. (see below for something close).. and sorry.. but you have to love the la di daaa crazy swing around dancey thing all 5yos seem to do.. and the drreeeeadddful tasteless bad coloured school uniform. ugh. It makes me want to join the PC and talk some sense into them ack ack ack.. but.. whatever.. he is wearing bottle green and yellow for the next 8 years *rolls eyes*.. and my super spunky monkey.. complete with backpack. 

and here is is in glasses (def not the best representation of him but.. you get the idea). 

i am here..kinda

I am here.. just not here...

I am alive but not blogging if that makes sense. 

BUSY ! is an understatement..no childcare - more client meetings than i can poke a stick at.. mostly in the evening, and .. that means starting work after they leave.. at like 9pm.. it makes for loooong late nights! 

My fav lil dude starts school on Tuesday.. bye bye buddy.. 5 days a week. I dont think we will cope. He didnt like more than 3 and i am going to miss him terribly... even tho i joke and keep smiling about the chance to work 5 days a week.. 

He looks so grown up. He got glasses this week and whilst i was worried he would be nerdy he is very very far from it.. although every now and again it is like hanging out with George from Stuart Little the movie. hehe. He is SUPER CUTE...(yes i am biased but everyone else thinks so too). 

Today i washed school uniforms and covered school books. Reminded me of how excited I was to wash baby clothes.. before he was born and how unexciting it got when he was born.. and how now those clothes seem HUGE and are hanging having been washed separately like those baby clothes (cant say i was excited about doing it tho..LOL) Odd that the school will take a 2 day old baby in prep.. cause i am SURE it was just yesterday I washed those baby clothes. 

Off to soak up some sofa and enjoy a book.. been a while since i held anything other than a recipe book or a magazine and it feels soooooo good. 

and besides.. no shoot today.. no work tonight.. and at loooong last... 4 day work week is just a couple of days away! 

Love is in the air..

Love Love love loooooooove Love..... just be pleased you cant hear me singing it.. 

Yesterday was a mega love fest here.. 

I had an engagement session... the couple are so super excited to be getting married next year, and they are having a wedding in their yard with family and friends.. one big party! 

They are completely and totally in love which always makes it easier to shoot!

UNFORTUNATELY - they didnt sign the model release..which is entirely optional.. but it does mean I cant share photos... which is killing me a lil right now because I came up with the idea to have them sit on a step and photograph their shoes (and a big of leg).. and.. have written on the step below (the one facing out).. something about them... some lil chalk graffitti.... most couples have a phrase or a saying or a way of signing something.. 

I asked them... and the both said AC DC! Crazed music fans?.. no

A.. is taking her partners surname.. and her partner D's surname is C... and... so their initials will be AC DC..   we drew the AC and a heart.. and the DC.. 

I am going to be to be able to share just that one shot ;) 

To really up the love fest tho... valentines day is soooooo close.. 

Shabby Miss Fabulous Jenn and I have been working on a lil collaborative effort.... She rocked the Vday kits.. http://shabbymissjenndesigns.com/

Check out LOVE POTION... 

Then she has bought back what could be my all time fav v day kit.. the classic Love Shack. (yep..i am singing the song in my head too).. 

She also has all the bag toppers, treat bags and v day stuff you could hope to find... 

check it out.. 

and.... 

There you will also find our collab... Cupcake Wrappers!!!

My kitchen is currently full of very cute v day wrapped cupcakes! It takes SECONDS to make one - once you have the template ;) and they look adorable. 

All you do is buy the pack.. pick your fave (there are 14 of course!) and then.. print them out .. cut them out (children could do it!) and then one bit of tape on the tab and you are done!!

hey presto... cupcake wrappers.. 

Slip them on baked and iced cupcakes and enjoy! 

You could even use elements from SMJ's fabulous kits to make cupcake toppers! 

I printed, cut, stuck and attached 12 in well under 10 mins :) 

wanna see? (click to make them deliciously large!)

These are def a v day treat.. but.. there are a few less heartsy ones to choose from to keep you cupcaking all year (and yes.. cupcaking is a word ;) 

days in days out..

The days are all ticking along nicely here..not much computer time and what i do have i am using for banking, bill paying and the teeeeny tiny bit of blog reading.. not posting..LOL

Some new stuff from this week.. 

We got all of lochie's school supplies and some new books for me too. woot. loooove new school books!

I have a real thing for blank pages and sharp pencils.. i avoid writing in pen as much as possible..no idea why but i do.. and if i do..i like a fine point.. medium seems so thick... 

(well this is turning out to be a riveting blog post huh!) 

Lochie also has this very very very cute and charming lil thing of giving mummy flowers (melt)... seriously cute! He often sees a footpath of dandelions on the roadside when sitting in the car and says.. ohh mummy i wish i could pick them all for you.  (he really is that sweet!) 

So this week he picked me a lil flower (a very very tiny flower!) 

So pleased I snapped a pic of it. 

He was making stuff out of lego this week and asked what i wanted.. i said a flower.. and he rose to the challenge.. 

which then led to me helping and us creating a garden of flowers based on his design.. including bees and bugs and grass.

I have a sore toe. It has been sore since before christmas and when i say sore i mean.. ick. I have been bathing it, dressing it, airing it.. blah blah.. it is driving me crazy. It isnt going well and I am resting it as much as one can when you still have stuff to do. OK so i rest it about 1 hour a day..LOL but i am trying!

So today we decided not to go out and have a family day out.. instead... lochie voted for videos.. 

and I begged some help with chores from 4pm onwards in exchange for a roast.. 

and. 

du du duuuuh

the dreaded paperwork awaits me

i have had a neat lil stack in the pantry for bills etc

it looks great.. easily accessible etc.. awesome

cept.. well

for someone who everyone thinks is neat and organised i am soooooooo not

We havent finalised superannuation additions, nor have we had our wills witnessed properly AGAIN nor have we sorted out the life insurance etc.. we have this stuff.. just stuff of life to do.. and it keeps waiting

I am also super bad at paying bills ON TIME. I tend to let them all come off the credit and just throw money at it at the beginning and end of the month.. this is not exactly proactive finanical management. Bills get paid but.. a few have stopped being direct debited and .. am i the only one who cant remember exactly when it was they said they wanted it buy?

dont even get me started on my lack of filing.. 

there isnt a place for these things. sure the top of the pantry looks neat but only cause we never ever access it. 

We dont have a system and i dont want the home stuff in my office and andrew doesnt want it in his. 

blah to that

So we made a quick trip to ikea for a bookcase.. and instead bought some play storage furniture..LOL

Trofast tower.. we picked up some shelves and a basket.. and should have just enough space to make things practical and available and ... who knows.. we might even work on a calendar..LOL 

so that is my super exciting afternoon ahead. hey.. at least it will be good looking and coordinated . .lol

Whats Up?

So how is the new year treating everyone?

I am loving 09 so far. Lots of new exciting things... long work days but some balance. 

This week I worked a few days solid.. (and when i say a few days solid i mean 18 and 22 hours a day..for several days..)  but now I am kicking back a lil. I am looking for more balance. I am giving in. 

January means no child care for me. NONE. It is my and my fav lil buddy .. all day every day. I started fighting this a lil.. i mean .. NO childcare means NO work..  but really.. why am i fighting it.. looking at my to do list.. alot of it means thinking. I am not super busy with sessions, by design, as I knew I had limited childcare. I have a few but nothing that will kill me. I have some SMJ stuff on the go.. but again I can fiddle with that at night.. 

So I worked when Andrew was on leave and really got stuck into some stuff.. now.. i am working on the life stuff... super.. wills... car servicing, getting the car repaired... eye checks, visits to the dentist etc.. and sprinkling in a meeting or two.. a viewing.. some sessions.. and it seems to be working.. :) 

I am going to be able to work 5 days a week in Feb... sure it is only 5 hours. but hey... its 5 days a week and I am going to miss my lil buddy.. so why not make the most of our time now?

Monday we did a few quiet chores (HOW we had anything to do i will not know after Sunday!) but we did so we did them. I folded laundry and we made a FEAST for dinner to welcome Daddy home after his first day back int he office. 

He was greeted by Corn Fritters served with smoked salmon and creme fraiche. We followed that up with Tandoori Chicken served with Basmati Rice and Green Beans and spiced baked pumpkin and huge seeded croutons.. 

YUM!

Yesterday we had a 'run away from home day'.... road trip!!!!! Lochie and I gathered the cameras, the dvd player (no we didnt need it .. it was the novelty factor for lochie).. and some tunes.. and we hit the road.. 

we had a lovely morning tea/lunch in the mountains, wandered through vintage stores.. spent time hanging out with garden gnomes, visited fairy shops, met lizards.. etc.. We drove down to the coast and caught a milkshake and lemonade watching the world go by. Lochie took photos on the iphone of a dog and a butterfly and stuff that appealed to him and I snapped a few just cause I could on the 5D.

We came home and snuggled together and I made tacos for dinner.. ahhh.. peace. 

Today we were supposed to take the car in for repairs but my foot is sore, and i couldnt see me walking around killing 10 hours..lol Andrew is in training at the moment and can't pick us up/drop us off.. so i postponed.. 

Dad dropped in, we had pancakes for breakfast and sorted lochie's books. I asked him what he wanted it to look like and he said a library. We grouped the books into types of books, and then got the label maker out and made labels. He can now tell the difference between the books and where they go and what types of books are what... awesome! Lets see if that works. If not.. it was fun making labels together :) 

I am now fabric hunting and he is having a movie rest. We might have a games afternoon? It is so nice to not have to be doing something else the whole time. we might just snuggle and read books too. 

We have also phoned about and invited people for dinner, catch ups and play dates.. might as well make the most of the quiet times whilst they last. 

I am super excited to be meeting with the talented woman behind Bespoke Press next Friday. I am looking at getting some awesome new stationary for PWL..I linked to her blog from another blog.. 

so thrilled to have found her. Really cant wait to see what we can create.. 

but now for some pictures... 

The gnome.. he was pretty cute.. 

Lochie fell asleep.. I pulled up for a bit of driver reviver.. rest stop.. i pulled off the highway and into a side street.. scored a carpark and looked up. umm the beach.. wow.. ... i was at the gate down to the beach. Lochie was sound asleep and I didn't want to wake him.. so I grabbed the camera, left the car and air con running and crouched down next to my door (between cars. yes i DO look like an idiot often).. and I snapped this.. which is pretty much sooc except for the resizing. 

This was lochie's first ever try at waffles...he refused.. (shock) and i said .. no buddy.. you try it and when you love it you say.. sorry mummy i was wrong and it is fantastic. He tried ... said Sorry Mum and before another second passed he was on his second mouthful.. very funny. 

The fence post outside the first vintage shop we found 

Lots fun.. 

ohhh i also have to share... rememberthemilk.com.... you can even email your self to dos.. it is free.. but i did sign up for the year anyway... 

i have the book and havent done it (another thing on the list for this month!) but.. i am finding this useful. 

oh and you can use it with twitter :)

speaking of which.. I am twittering a photo a day taken on the iphone. It is more challenging.. not sure i will do it for a year.. aiming for Jan at the moment... might even do every second month. The iphone camera is very very very average. No zoom, no adjustments.. it just snaps. and not always that well...LOL So I am challenging myself to making an interesting image each day with it. It isnt about the gear.. it is about creativity.. and it is def working that.. :) I then twitter the photo each day.. so check the twitter box at the top for the photos.. 

so far.. 

Jan 1

Jan 2.. wilting flowers.. HOT today.. 

Jan 3 - my lil elephant calendar from moma.. love the lil parade on my desk

Jan 4

Roller skating santa by lochie.. 

Jan 5 wicked sunset

Jan 6 Lizard at Tamborine.. 

I am also taking 30 mins a week to listen in at askdane.com... dane sanders coaching session each week. Dane rocks. He has a really great style and answers questions in a way that meets the needs of everyone, whether they are succeeding at that aspect or failing miserably at it..  well worth the $9 a month :) 

ROAD TRIP

Lochie and I are throwing boring mundane and the usual out today. We are taking a special mummy + lochie day road trip. wooot wooot.. 

us.. junk food the dvd player, camera gear and a tank of fuel. Home when the wind brings us back. or at 5:45pm so we can eat a healthy dinner and make it to bed time (joking).. 

we need to feel the.. umm air con in our hair! 

i snapped this last night.... this is straight out of the camera.... (not often you see that from me..LOL)

the moon at dinner time last night. 

Have an awesome day and do something unexpected!