1 Like others, I’m not happy with the changes to google reader.  Too white, too stark but most of all they axed shared items!  I loved shared items, used it all the time, not only to ‘file’ articles for myself, but read shared items of others, finding yet more gems.  The only solution I thought was to create yet another board at pinterest;) Which solved my filing, but didn’t allow me to share.  Now a solution has been shared, (see comment) and I’m off to check out feedly.  (Kind of sounds like Feelie in Deltora Quest) 2 Whilst we are discussing technology, are you happy with your photo software?  We were…

1 Carpenter stepped on a very deadly snake this afternoon, a baby Eastern Brown.  Rather a nerve rattling experience for all. Fortunately he reacted very quickly, went leaping and was not bitten. Thanks be to God!! 2 Anna Maria has started at her new job, delivering pizzas for a local pizza chain. She really enjoys it.  Yes we were a little nervous, she’s our girl etc, but she’s rather confident about it all. 3 In my quest of being deliberate about my online time, I’ve found a secret to more productive blog writing.   I have a set plan of what I will write each day (time providing).  So on Mondays…

1  Driving home the other evening with Carpenter at the wheel, we pulled over for an ambulance with flashing sirens.  Much to our surprise the ambulance pulled off the road right in front of us, the ambo’s leapt out of the vehicle, hurrying to a woman in a phone booth.  We watched in total bemusement as she held out her leg for them to look at her.. toe! 2 Thursday we visited our local art gallery. Once upon a time, years ago, I used to take our older children to the gallery regularly.   When I explained to our middles where we were off to, imagine my embarrassment when a tween asked,…

1 Anyone interested in seeing my pinterest site?  I’ve changed my details so I can share:)  I’ll also keep it located on the right sidebar here.  I’ve been happily pinning house building ideas and a few other projects I have brewing. 2 Ticks are out in force at present.  I’m consistently checking the children of a night as we have found several already.  So far all have been discovered on the head, although I found one on my leg! 3 Bass suffered a yucky case of conjunctivitis this week.  All I can marvel over is the healing properties of breastmilk!  Really totally awesome! 4 Yesterday I took Princess, Jelly Bean and Jack Jack to…

1 A few weeks ago I purchased Startwrite, I’d heard so many glowing reports and the thought of being able to print out copywork sheets was immensely appealing.  But…frankly, I am going insane, I can not work out how to use it!!  I can’t hear the tutorials, I can’t get the writing to be dark and I can’t paste poems onto the sheet leaving blank lines underneath. Arghh!! Can anyone help, pleaseee? 2 Talking purchases, PC bought a goodie last week. An industrial vacuum cleaner.  The nozzle is attached to the back of the gyprock sander and all the dust is sucked into the bag, best of all I can use it for household use too.…

1 NSW school holidays began this week, however we’ve begun Term 4 early.  Considering the more relaxed pace we enjoyed in August/September we felt it was time to ‘knuckle’ down.  We’ve had a great week, I’m feeling so confident about this term! I haven’t felt this good in a long time:) 2  I recently read an article on recovering from homeschool burnout that really resounded with me, one sentence has been playing over in my mind;  “Whether it’s new curriculum, a fun family project, or a great field trip, find something that you can get enthused about because enthusiasm is contagious.” I believe All About Spelling is that ‘something’ we are enthused about. 3 Princess is planning for her…

1 This past week we have been blessed to have the Maher family stay with  us for their annual visit:)  With the Maher’s, us and our nearly daily visitors, the R family we have maintained a full house, feeding 27 for many meals.  This morning the Maher’s left for their long trek home, dinner tonight was very quiet and small with only 11 at the table. 2 It was most apparent during the week that one bathroom for19 people was a challenge. The time has come to make bathroom selections.  Next project; bathroom and ensuite! 3 When we bought the new camera we switched programs.  We moved from Kodak to…

1 Today I spent some time searching ebay for ‘children’s costumes’.  One of the most consistently used ‘toys’ in our house is dress ups.  A few weeks ago I realised that our little boys are always ‘dressing up’ in dresses.  Not that this bothers me in the slightest but upon reflection I realised that we don’t have any costumes for little boys.  So I’ve been looking at perhaps purchasing Spiderman, Batman and Robin Hood costumes.  I’m also planning on cobbling together some outfits from the op-shops. These will make great presents for Jem’s third birthday in a fortnight.  Any other suggestions for small boys dress up outfits? 2 Spring is…

1 Long term readers would realise I use blog Pseudonyms for our children. As Koala turns 18 at the end of this month, I thought it time to change her name to a more mature sounding one.  Henceforth she will be named Anna Maria, her own blog name for herself and incidentally her Confirmation name. 2 When recycling first became the ‘rage’ I didn’t get it.  A daughter of generations of farmers, I was raised to nurture the land, to take care of the environment.  For years I have used cloth nappies and purchased minimal processed foods. Truthfully though it is only recently that I have given serious thought to the sheer amount of landfill we are creating…