“It’s not about how much we give but how much love we put in giving” – Mother Teresa.
Joining Trish at My Little Drummer Boys for another round of Wordless Wednesday.
Everyday Experiences, Lifelong Learnings
By: mamagrace7154 Comments
“It’s not about how much we give but how much love we put in giving” – Mother Teresa.
Joining Trish at My Little Drummer Boys for another round of Wordless Wednesday.
By: mamagrace7110 Comments
It’s Saturday afternoon and have the lounge room all to myself. I honestly can’t remember the last time that’s happened.
After a busy morning on the ferry and trip to the city, the twinlets are finally down for their nap, Mr Surfer’s gone out for what else? a surf. The “Eat Pray Love” DVD is playing as my background noise. Light and fluffy, yet allowing me to finally collect my thoughts and to try and get back on track.
I feel I’ve been so out of the loop with my blogging lately, feeling that I’ve been left behind in what’s going on. The fact that I have been unavailable to participate is an uncomfortable feeling.
It shouldn’t matter…but somehow it just does.
And August – as predicted – was a month when I was going to be challenged to just even keep my head above water.
An assignment due, a small sales/marking consulting gig, agreeing to be the Social Media Manager for a friend’s local council elections campaign, starting up a health kick that includes 6am starts at the gym 4 times a week (Target is to lose 8 kilos in 9 weeks…)
Phew!
I thought I had it under control. But, last week, funnily enough after my birthday, sickness swept this household clean.
The twinlets both have a small case of asthma but right up until then, winter had actually been kind to us. I think it was waiting for its grand finale.
With his concerning dog barking cough, Nunu slept with us for the first time ever which ended up being 4 nights in a row. His raspy voice, wan face and dark circles under the eyes was heartbreaking.
It was also the first time the twinlets were separated during their usual weekly activities like swimming and day care. Nunu was quarantined at home while he would watch his brother walk out the door. Their unbroken rule of inseperability had finally crumbled and I was waiting for the expected disasterous impact. But I’ll leave that story for another time.
Taking Nunu to the doctor’s last Wednesday, we discovered he had a nasty throat infection and started a bout of antibiotics. The miraculous change in him was instant.
Yet, we were back on the Friday for K-Bear. He too had a cough and we needed to check that it wasn’t going to turn into a case like his brother’s.
We did discover that the ventolin that we were giving him every night was the culprit to his restlessness. Ventolin has stimulant effects, our doctor told us, and thus it makes the heart race for at least an hour after a dose. No wonder it had taken up to 2 hours for us to settle him in bed.
There’s so much more I want to write about – to just get it all out there. To appreciate that cathartic feeling again but most importantly, to regain that sense of belonging with my on-line village.
So, that’s the long version of a simple message to say…I’m back. Hopefully, returning to the sanctuary where I let my thoughts run completely free.
By: mamagrace7116 Comments
“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does.
Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine.” – Dwight L Moody
Joining Trish at My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday
By: mamagrace7141 Comments
The twinlets have followed the usual trend of toddler speech development with their liking of the word, “No”. It’s used frequently, unbashfully and drives me around the proverbial twist.
How can one tiny word can be said with more conviction than their little 2 and a half year old minds can actually grasp? It astounds me.
The past couple of weeks though, the tune has slightly changed to one that’s a little friendlier. These days, the favourite phrase of the fleeting toddler moment is: “Not yet.”
Where did they picked it up? I haven’t an iota of a clue. I can, however, say its context has suprisingly been spot on. (Yes, I possibly may be raising twin geniuses…) I just wish the situations were a little more…ideal.
Let me walk you through some classic examples.
When picking them up from daycare.
Me: Are you ready to go home?
K-Bear: Not yet.
Nunu has suddenly stopped in his tracks from playing. Instead, his efforts turn to pushing “something” out and he starts going a little red in the face.
Me: Nunu, are you doing a poo?
Nunu: (grunt, grunt) Not yet.
K-Bear – the yoghurt eating fiend – is demolishing his 3rd tub.
Me: K-Bear, have you finished?
Nunu: (slurp, slurp) Not yet.
While quietly playing with their Thomas train set, K-Bear suddenly starts screaming for Nunu’s train. Upon his brother’s vocal demands, Nunu immediately passes it over to him.
Me: Oh, Nunu…that was so nice of you to give your Percy train to K-Bear. Do you love your brother?
Nunu: Not yet.
There wasn’t a nanosecond of hesitation.
At least he has a lifetime to learn how to figure that one out.
Joining in with Jess for IBOT
By: mamagrace7121 Comments
Whether running a business or a household, we can’t escape the currently hot, sometimes confusing topics surrounding carbon tax and climate change.
From an environmental and economical perspective, reducing carbon emissions is now necessary.
Thanks to Digital Parents, I was given the rare opportunity to take part in the Empower Campaign, a program that uses the Low Carbon Growth Plan to explain how a low carbon future is not only achievable but beneficial.
It meant having David, an assessor come over and review my home as well as our energy consumption.
I know. I didn’t think it was going to be much fun at first, either.
There was the initial fear that the 2 hour meeting would be filled with lots of heavy critique.
Instead, it was an opportunity to talk to an expert and pick up some important tips.
After all, what’s the point in moaning and groaning about how high our winter bills are every year, if we don’t do anything about them?
First stop was the backyard. Its lack of sun was an issue that David spotted immediately. No wonder doing laundry’s a pain!
David made some simple suggestions on where I could move the clothes line to get maximum sun exposure and to ultimately do more of this:
And use less of this:
Next was a lengthy discussion about how to decipher electricity, gas and water bills. Yikes!
Have you ever tried reading one? It’s like slogging away at a rocket science degree. Seriously.
Eventually I got my head around what “Kilowatts per hour” means. It’s about how many electrical appliances are running concurrently in my home. Then, I take into account how much energy each appliance potentially consumes.
An energy bill shows the daily consumption of how many kilowatts per hour are used.
The washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher seem to be our big ticket items.
But the big surprise was our little 2400 watt space heater. During these winter months, it actually takes up a tenth of our daily electricity consumption!
With David, we worked on some realistic and doable steps that will make a significant difference.
“Turn it off. Completely off.”
We discovered that by leaving it on standby mode, our telly takes up a whopping 13 watts per hour !!! So, the new house rule is to switch it off at its power switch every night.
“Here comes the sun…”
To maximize the winter sun in our sunroom, I’m going to leave the blinds open during the day. All day.
“Mind the gap”
This house is forever cold! With a few simple insulation tips and relevant websites about draft proofing, we’re going to fix our front door seal as well as fill in the gaps of the skirting boards along the corridor.
“Easy on the shower…”
Time to replace our showerheads with eco-friendly and reduce the flow of water. (An average 7-8 minute shower can take up to 90 litres of hot water !)
While writing this post, I’m letting that glorious winter sun pour into our home. That naughty little space heater has been left switched off for a solid two hours.
It’s one small step. But it’s heading towards a bigger, far more important change in mindset to reduce carbon emissions.
You can also show your support for Climate Works Australia and the awesome work their doing by liking their Facebook page.
Through Digital Parents, one of my lucky Australian based readers will win an Energy Efficiency Opportunity Assessment and retro-fit bonus (to the value of $500).
To enter:
The important stuff:
1.Please read the Terms and Conditions for entering this competition.
2. Only Australian residents can enter.
3. The competition will run from 1st of August to 1st of September, 2012.
This is a sponsored post for Climate Works Australia. All opinions expressed are my own. Participating sponsors do not have editorial control. I received compensation for this post as a member of Digital Parents Collective.
By: mamagrace7134 Comments
Some of you may recall, a couple of weeks ago, Mr Surfer made an impromptu interstate trip.
Leaving in such a heated rush, he left with not much other than a carry on backpack.
Departing straight from the office to the airport, he had a few precious minutes in the office carpark to change into casual clothes and slipping on the only pair of jeans he packed.
I wish I had been there to see the horror on his face when he tried to squeeze into the first leg, only to quickly realized that he had accidentally run out the door with a pair of mine.
While frantically hopping on one leg, with his ankles caught in the denim and his butt (a sexy one, of course) in mid air, a colleague happened to drive by and spotted him.
All class.
It wasn’t until later that evening, when he had settled at his destination, that he called, telling me about the wardrobe malfunction.
“So, what? You’re going to wear your business pants for 2 days?”
It astounded me that he could mistake my jeans for his.
“Um, well…no. But I looked in 5 different shops and all they have are those skinny jeans…You know, the ones that Paul wears.”
I started laughing hysterically into the phone.
Paul is our next door neighbour’s 23 year old son. He’s a funky guy and his trendy sweeping fringe haircut is perfectly matched with his “Idontgiveaneff” Gen Y attitude.
Skinny jeans are his staple.
And straight away, I envisioned Mr Surfer in the same attire yet looking…oh, so wrong.
Now, my husband is in denial about his age. I won’t reveal what it is, suffice to say, he is waaay beyond skinny jeans.
As soon as he walked in the door, I gave him the up-down-then-up-again-are-you-for-real-stare.
Fair indication that he needed to let go of his long gone youth.
Then we had date night last Saturday. And lo and behold, guess what came out of the wardrobe to make another fashion faux pas appearance?
“Look, Lovey! They’re wearing the same kind!” said my beloved Surfer Man, grinning madly as he pointed to some young hip 20-something year old dudes.
Hanging my head in embarrassment, I finally accepted the hard reality.
Those stupid pants are here to stay.
So, to celebrate my husband’s “kidult” tendencies and the biggest fashion faux pas he’s made in our married life, I have a fabulous giveaway !!
There’s a $200 gift pack to take care you skin, body and hair, provided by Garnier. Take care with Garnier.
Also, some awesome DVDs:
Total giveaway value of over $300.
To enter:
The important stuff:
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
By: mamagrace713 Comments
Okay, first a bit of background on this cranky pants post.
Mr Surfer was just about to finish up his 3 months of paternity leave last year, during which time I did some study, I started doing some part-time work…I was using my brain cells again!!! The twinlets weren’t in daycare yet and I was dreading the idea of going back to being a full-time, day in day out SAHM.
All is good now…kinda, sorta. Well, it’s better than when I wrote this post, last December 😉
**********
Unfortunately, this is not going to be a joyous post welcoming the new week.
But I need to spit it out: I’m pissed.
My husband is copping the brunt of this anger, but deep down I know it’s society that I should be most upset with. And with him going back to work after paternity leave; me having to return my ticket to freedom; I always knew it was going to get ugly.
It was just a time bomb in my head waiting to happen.
I got a taste of what I could potentially do again. How to rebuild my career. To only have my hands tied again and return to my role as a mum.
Not complaining about the “mum” bit.
Yes, I DID sign up for that. No questions or doubt.
But, I don’t see how it’s fair that the assumed bread winner of the family goes back to a life where he has his own controlled environment at work. Where he can simply continue to pick up where he left off. Where it is actually expected of him that he does.
My gripe is that – way before twinlets and baby vomit – I was on a good wicket too. And at one stage – at its peak – it was even better than my husband’s.
So, I sit here, knowing full well that if I really wanted to, if I was given half the chance, if we weren’t having to contend with stupidly unending waiting lists for day care centres, I could in fact, be the one bringing home the bacon. And then some.
Instead, I am the one who needs to be accomodating.
I’m supposed to be understanding of his schedule.
And yet, with whatever I do – professionally or as a mum – it all needs to be accountable. My schedule is on precise Swiss time because if not, dinner doesn’t get prepared and from there all hell breaks lose.
And here is the part where I want to scream at society.
The bread winner on the other hand, he can drive off to work and that’s it. Whatever his activities and movements are throughout the day – they are all unbeknownst to the one at home who’s dealing with toddler meltdowns.
Corporate lifestyle demands from their employees the mandatory attendance to fluffy, rah-rah work “conferences”. (How coincidental that they also happen to be held at glamourous destinations like a beach resort or a winery…). Functions where the big executive egos use it as an opportunity to scratch themselves from the inside of their front pockets while talking senseless crap.
(I can say these things, because at one stage in my life, I was there at these God-awful events).
But on the flip-side ? My situation ? I’m busting to have my brain cells used again. Just to relish in one little ounce of much needed mental stimulation. Only to be forced to missing my final Nutrition class because my mandatory attendance is at home.
You all know how great my husband has been over the past 3 months. He dived right into his full-time parenting role without reservation and complete commitment.
So, this is not about him.
But the bizarre thing about it all ? Now that it’s all over and we’re back to returning to our original roles, I’m left wondering…and pissed off.
By: mamagrace7137 Comments
Okay, straight up – I don’t do recipes on this blog. Well, I haven’t until now.
Why ? Mainly because I don’t like to be guided by recipes. I kinda just go by what my mum (who is the best cook I know…) always says: “Cook with feeling”
Anyway, if it were not for the special request from Jess at Diary of a SAHM, I wouldn’t be posting this. Yet secretly, I’m glad she gave me that push.
So, here it is. Indonesian Fried Noodles (Mi Goreng) – done my way.
Ingredients:
3 packets of Indo Mie Instant Noodles
Found in most supermarkets now, they look like this. Make sure you buy the “Mi Goreng” type as that means “Fried Noodles”. You don’t want the ones that are only for noodle soup.
1300 mls of water
3 tablespoons of sesame seed oil
2 tablespoons of soy sauce (or for less sodium content, tamari)
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (or pressed)
1 medium sized brown onion, halved and thinly sliced
3 thai green chillies (optional)
100 gms of button mushrooms, sliced
Handful of snow peas, sliced (2-3 cms in width)
Half a medium-sized red capsicum, sliced and diced
¼ ready cooked charcoal or roasted chicken, skinned, deboned and shredded
(You could also use skinless chicken breast fillet – cut in thin slices – but that will increase cooking time)
3 stems of shallots, thinly sliced
Method:
Boil the water in a saucepan.
When boiling, add in the instant noodles. Stir for 2-3 minutes until they soften and break apart.
The packets of noodles will include sachets of stock (in clear plastic) and herbs (in silver).
Add the sachets of stock in with the noodles and water. Keep stirring.
When noodles are soft, drain them in a colander.
Place in a bowl and sprinkle the sachets of herbs into the noodles and mix.
(You can use a fork to do this or one of those special spoons you use to break up spaghetti pasta).
Leave the noodles aside.
Turn the heat to high and add sesame seed oil in a deep fry pan.
After a minute, add in garlic, onions and chillies.
When onions are soft, add in shredded chicken and stir for 2 minutes.
Add snowpeas, capsicum and mushrooms and stir for 2-3 minutes.
Turn down heat to medium.
Add soy sauce and stir for a minute.
Add noodles.
Now here’s the trick. Your noodles may have hardened or clumped together while it was left aside. Not to worry!!!
The heat of the pan will help soften the noodles. But also keep remembering to separate them with a fork or the special spoon that you would use to break up spaghetti.
Once all the ingredients and noodles are well mixed in together, serve into a bowl or large plate.
Sprinkle shallots over the top for garnish.
Done!
Sedap !!! (Loosley translated as “OMG! To die for !!!”)
If you try this one, let me know how it goes. This served our little (2 toddlers, 2 adults) family of four. It will take all up 20 – 25 minutes to make. Yes, that’s all!
My culinary terminology (what the hell is that spoon that breaks up spaghetti called ???) might be a little outta whack, so feel free to shoot me with any questions.
I might post a few more Asian influenced type recipes.
Gad, me sharing recipes on my blog ??! What’s the world coming to ??!
Joining in with the uber lovely Jess for IBOT
By: mamagrace7134 Comments
It’s a given that life constantly throws an array of lemons and curveballs. Learning how to dodge and deal with them is imperative. This past week, I realised that I’m still trying to figure out the antidotes and escapist manouveres.
Plans for Mr Surfer to make an impromptu interstate trip began last Tuesday.
And by the following Wednesday morning he was gone to leave me with 3 days and 2 nights of solo parenting.
I know, I know.
On the grander scheme of things, I have no substantial grounds to complain. I humbly kowtow to single mums everywhere.
But I won’t lie. Raising the twinlets during the current toddler tornado stage is a heavy, mentally fatiguing battle. And while having to look after them on my own is rare, it’s a momentary lapse of living dangerously.
But it appeared I had underestimated my little monkeys.
When Mr Surfer called the next morning, I sounded confident, even a little cocky.
“They’ve been perfect!” I assured him.
To ensure that I wouldn’t have to be scambling around their cots in the middle of the night during those fatal dummy drops, we had stocked up on an extra supply.
So, it was a proud moment to say I didn’t have to use them.
But of course, this is when that curveball comes hurling at you out of nowhere.
If the first night was sheer heaven, the second was its stark contrast.
Both woke up several times before midnight. Only to take hourly turns thereafter.
Tears, screams, squirming little strong bodies pushing away the dummies I was offering.
By 5am, I was running out of both dummies and patience.
From there, it all collapsed into dischord and chaos.
Even though my eyeballs were ready to drop into my strong cup of tea that morning, I decided to take the monsters to the park from some fresh air.
Heading back home, there was the hope of some respite during their afternoon nap.
It’s that fine line of wishing something too much that of course, it doesn’t manifest. And despite how a nap normally falls with ease into our daily routine, this was the day (of all days), it wasn’t to be.
Trying to settle one in my arms, there were cries from the other for a particular Thomas train. I desperately searched the entire house without success while the screams intensified.
So, I tried offering some consellation trains.
No, he didn’t want Percy.
He threw Rosie out of his cot and across the room.
He wanted his beloved Spencer.
“Pencer!!!! Pencer!!! Peeeencer!!!”
The wailing was relentless.
My head was ready to crack as I cried along beside them.
Bearing it no more, one by one I plopped them both in front of the TV and switched on a Thomas DVD.
Yes, I’m a bad parent like that.
I wish I had the patience. I wish I didn’t get angry or frustrated. I wish an inbuilt mechanism helped me keep my cool.
I wish…I wish…
I just wish I had some sleep.
Just when it couldn’t possibly get any worse, Mr Surfer called to say his flight had been delayed. He was still at the airport. A bird was stuck in the engine. They had to wait for the next first available engineer to fix it. Of course.
4 hours late in his return, Mr Surfer found me on the couch, completely dishevelled and defeated .
Solo parenting, man.
I can do it. Just not very well.
What are your tips for successful solo parenting ?
By: mamagrace7125 Comments
Yet again, I’m falling behind in making a monthly mosaic of Fat Mum Slim‘s photo a day challenge.
It’s because I’m in denial with how quickly the year is flying. Wasn’t it just yesterday I was freaking out we were at the end of May ???
Anyway, although I didn’t start this challenge until March, I’m completely hooked.
Proudest photo ? It would have to be Day 4 – Close Up.
Most popular ? Day 8 – 6 o’clock
Highlights ? Without a doubt, Blogopolis and meeting all you lot! 🙂
Here’s to an equally awesome July!
Joining in Trish at My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.