1 We have a bat living in our rafters.  Late every night the bat swoops about the house eating the mosquitoes.  I had to dodge the bat in the hallway the other night, and after lights are out ‘he’ has taken to swooping quite low over us as we lie in bed. 2 The R key on my keyboard has died, this is soo annoying.  I use a laptop in conjunction with a larger keyboard.  PC was laughing as he watched me the other morning, keying on the keyboard and reaching upwards to the laptop to key in the R.  He said I reminded him of an organ player. 3…

1 The reason I received every bibliophile’s dream this week and PC received his dream of a chainsaw!! was because we both celebrated our birthdays.  PC’s on Monday, mine on Wednesday, but the best present was a babysitting voucher and tickets from our children  for PC and I to go on a date:) 2 I visited the midwife clinic again today, all is fine.  I love this new option, I really, really do.  I actually look forward to my appointments, and every time have been blessed to have the same midwife.  Low stress, low bother and I feel like a real person. They have been promising for years to have…

1 Praying for North Queenslanders as they deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Yasi, the biggest cyclone to hit Australia.  So very, very  grateful to hear my friend Jenny fared well. 2 We began lessons for the new year this week.  Truly a fantastic beginning for all children!  Promising to be the best year yet:):) 3 Don’t think all our homeschool years have been a ‘bed of roses’ some have been filled with thorns.  One day I may share more, but for now I share, maturity works wonders regards attitude and application. 4 It appears that Jack Jack is keen to learn to read, I’ve never had one of our…

1 A great find this week, a local book sale!  I bought lots of Australian Nature books, precious OOP books.  It was so refreshing to talk to a seller who really knows books, and we discovered he has a store in a nearby local village.  We’ll be back. Best part was I was with a friend (and several of our children) at the time so we could share our joy and finds together:) Well we enjoyed ourselves, even if some of the children professed otherwise. As we drove home I smiled at my friend, “Well that was lots of fun”  from the seat  behind came her 11year old daughter’s droll…

1 Are you all familiar with the ‘Follower’ widget?  Well I’d like to unfollow someone –  myself!  I can not tell you how I came to be following myself,  nor I can’t work out how to unfollow myself either. Help. 2 When I couldn’t find sheets for my bed last night I knew the moment could no longer be delayed, it was time to de-clutter my linen cupboard.  It was overwhelming, it was difficult, but it is now complete!  I have two garbage bags full of tired sheets and doona covers to be tossed and I feel like I have shed a huge weight.  As I worked I pondered on…

 1 Please continue to keep our Nation in your prayers as we wait for the final death toll, for flood waters to recede, as we begin the long process of recovering. Jeanne explains it well; Right now, there are flood warnings in four Australian States. 75% of the State of Queensland is under water. That’s an area twice the size of Texas, four times the size of Japan, and six times the size of the UK. 15 people are dead and another 61 are missing. 100,000 homes in the State Capital, Brisbane, are without power. 26,000 homes are affected by the water and another 5000 businesses.12, 000 homes are completely…

 1 On the 17th December I became an aunty again!  My sister had a little girl, Olivia Mary.  We give praise to the Lord for her save arrival, a blessed miracle indeed. 2 BetterWorld Books is now offering FREE shipping worldwide!!! This means they will now be fierce contenders for my dollars with Book Depository. 3 Has anyone noticed the new 4 Real button on my sidebar? For any 4Real fans, feel free to add this to your own sidebars.  Any readers who haven’t yet checked out 4Real be sure too, it’s my favourite place in cyberspace to hang out.  A wonderful, supportive community of Catholic parent Home Educators.  Lots…

 1 Does anyone else find emailing their husbands/children a rather useful way to capture their attention? Perhaps it is the excitement of receiving mail, perhaps it is because in an effort to communicate well I have to be succinct.  Whatever the reason I find it a useful medium as I remember quick thoughts to share or minor details throughout the day, and a great way to capture the attention of our teens. 2 All of our children, with the exception of one have been rather independent. Jem at only 2 though,  takes it to ridiculous lengths; he insists on dressing himself, uncliping himself from his carseat (which he can’t manage…

1 Koala has completed the 120 hrs of driving experience needed to sit for her “Provisional” license!  Next step is to book her test and once she passes she’ll be driving on her own! 2 December next year will find Koala finishing year 12, completing her secondary schooling, our first homeschool graduate.  I truly cannot understand how we have arrived here already.  Many warned the years would zip past and they have.  I was sharing my thoughts with dh that; first Koala would leave home, then her brothers one by one, all too quickly.  He asked if I was feeling ’empty nest syndrome’ I think I might be.  I believe…