1 The new school year begins next week and stores are advertising Back to School sales.  After completing the massive deep clutter and clean in the first couple of weeks after Bella’s birth I knew we didn’t need to purchase much in the way of stationary.  Therefore yesterday we went ‘shopping in our cupboard’ and consequently spent barely anything for Back to School.  Rather jubilant about this ‘clever idea’ and boasting to our children that it was a cheap way to ‘kit out’ for the year, they wisely pointed out I had a false idea of economy, we did after all purchase the stationary originally. 2 If you glance to…

1 Memo to Mr Nobody: If a bag, bottle or plate is empty, place it in the bin/sink, there is no excuse for leaving it sitting in the fridge/pantry. 2 I’ve spent the past two days binding the children’s 2012 academic and art work into their keepsake books.  This is always followed by plenty of reminiscing, treasured books indeed. 3 Gathering my thoughts towards this year’s academic direction. Thinking a resurgence of poetry, memorisation and catechism are called for.  Past that I’m not sure there will be much ‘re-inventing of the wheel,’ more a re-commitment to what is working (and what needs to be working)  After a decade and a…

1 We’ve been having a lovely babymoon whilst PC has been home on holidays.  I’ve been so spoilt, everyday he has washed the nappies, the continual pile of baby clothes and has taken care of all the umpteen details of running a household of twelve.  Amongst it all we’ve found time to just lie and gaze at our girl and murmur to one another, “I can ‘t believe we have a girl!!”, we really, really can’t. Sadly PC returns to work on Monday and I’ll be returning to laundry detail. 2 I managed my first shopping trip today in search of pretty, girly dresses, hitting Target and Best & Less.…

1 We’re so thrilled our baby arrived in time for Christmas:) We are simply enjoying doting on our girl, still rather in shock to have been blessed with a girl after nine years and three boys. 2 The children are all totally besotted with her, she only needs to emit a small cry and all are eager to run and nurse her.  She is completely loved by all. 3 Our younger girls, 12 & 9 had all baby girls clothes unpacked and washed by the time I came home from hospital, which was only a day and a half later.  They are completely excited to finally have a sister. 4…

1 Christmas preparations are all complete:) I’m just relaxing, waiting for Christmas…No, not true, I’m impatiently waiting for our baby to arrive.  I’m not even due until Wednesday next week but still every morning I’m surprised to find myself still in my bed.  Crazy sounding my saner self knows. 2 It’s not like I don’t have projects I could be doing, I could be cutting out nappy liners, or sewing summer nighties for the girls, they’re on my to do list and yet… I can’t settle to anything, I’m just waiting. 3 We did complete all our next building project decisions.  The plumber was here yesterday, holes are drilled.  Tiles,…

1 In the ‘home run’ now, only 12 days till the baby is due.  Very exciting, won’t be long until we hold our little one.  Though I admit to playing mind games, everyday I say to PC, “today’s the Feast of St Nicholas, the 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception…. then there is The Feast of…. that will be a good day to have a baby.” As if I can control these things.  As a friend firmly reminded me, if I’m having a boy I’ll be 10 days over anyhow, I won’t even have the baby till December the 28th.  Essentially I need to ‘get real and get…

1 Last week I shared I hadn’t undertaken any preparations for the baby’s birth.  I then reflected upon the blessing of giving birth during Advent and was motivated to begin.  I not only began but have completed all preparations, bar a couple of minor details.  I ended up washing only neutrals, which I have to admit are looking rather tired, but I’m sure when we break open the blue/pink bags we’ll find some goodies. 2 Actually I’m still convinced it will be the blue bag we’ll be opening.  I dreamt again I had a boy, that’s three times now.  Has anyone ever dreamt about the gender of their baby and…

1 Last week I shared my computer’s hard drive was sadly fried. My brilliant husband however managed to save it!!!! He took the hard drive off my computer tried it on another, reconfigured, and after a great deal of patient persistence got it all working again. We’ve since downloaded all of my documents, years and years of organisation for various committees etc onto a thumb drive.  Still not quite trusting that the computer will run along smoothly. 2 Only 3.5 weeks till the baby is due and 4.5 weeks till Christmas, and frankly I’ve done nothing to prepare for either.  I told my favourite supermarket operator this week that as…

1 On Sunday we had a rather dramatic event occur.  A lightning bolt struck a tree less than 50 metres from the house, the base of the tree caught fire and in our hot, drought conditions the fire began to spread rapidly. Fortunately PC saw it, and called for the older children to come running with shovels.  Some rather frighting moments followed as they put out the fire whilst lightning continued. We were worried that the fire would take hold and spread towards the house, with all the building supplies surrounding it would quickly take hold.  Providently within a few moments rain began to pour. 2 Wonderfully we’ve had rain,…