Random Things On A Saturdeeeee

Just in case you need some late night viewing while your husband/boyfriend/partner/girlfriend/friend/lady-friend/man-friend/man-child etc is watching 'Boogie Nights' (?!? possibly one of the worst films EVER - double HMPH!)... Here goes, because if you're like me, you know that the ukulele is the top of the pops..

Julia Nunes:






another youtuber, not sure her name other than sweet afton- sorry!




and because this song is always one of my favourites rehashed... (remember when I posted this??)

Sweet Saturday: Guests for lunch, a garage sale, a twilight vino

I love Saturdays. So full of hope and promise. Particularly if your weekend is wide open and free. Free as a bird baby.

Ours? We started off with a visit from my Mum & Dad who are in town. We had an easy lunch, followed by the best cheesecake ever (sadly not made by me), damn fool, it was good. Wonderful to have a very relaxed afternoon with them, and the Doctor and Tiny were both tickled pink to see them and be the epicentre of attention (not that they're not with us, but you know how it rolls).

Grocery shopping. Not so good.

Garage sale (not to be confused with garbage sale): good! 50 cent books - hello, hello, will photograph tomorrow - but some real treasures! Sadly the Doctor was pining after some plastic race track, but his mama declined. Poor Doctor.

Swim: Crazy fun. Tiny and the Doctor go overtime in the bonkers department - they lurve it. Tiny plunges her face in the water - she is one crazy cat.

Evening vino on the back steps: Ah hello night time. I see you ride into the sky, a line-up of clouds in pink are pushed out - make way for lilac skies. And here come the bats. Time to chat with Matt and enjoy the cool evening breeze sneaking in. Welcome.

And in case you're wondering how my decluttering is going (and even if you're not, I'll tell you) - it's going ok. Though as my MIL says, I have to live in the now, not in the past. Will that make it easier to get rid of my stuff. Hmph. I am not sure, but I will try! And while I'm on the subject - does anyone own this book? Is it good? Do I need it? Or is it more clutter?

What's something fun you're doing this weekend?

Scallops, Anyone?

I had this strange idea in my head that since I was well on my way stitching, that I could go freestyle. Whack I know. I don't know what came over me. Ego? Bravado? A little cocky perhaps? Or maybe it's just the heat? Yes! Yes, let's put it down to the heat throwing me into some false sense of stitching prowess.

I've not been doing much of anything really, except trying to declutter, but sometimes I sneak some time to resume stitching this wee little handkerchief. The 'M' turned out ok, but I got a little bored, so went to do a border (I am so fickle, aren't I?). I was thinking a sweet scalloped edge. Started out ok, then went wayward. Sloppy.

Can I bothered to unpick it and start again? Probably not given this is the measly amount I've stitched since my last report.

In other breaking news, I resume sewing lessons on Monday. This will give you ample time to pop the corn, break out the choc tops and wait patiently for my next round of sewing catastrophes.

PS - Spare a cool thought for the all the Southern Belles melting, melting, ahhh they're melting. Oh what a world!

Just Look What I'm Filing This One Under

Today we've been busy despite the omnipresent heat.

We nipped down to the nursery at lunch time to pretty up the front of the house. I was in need of colour. Some pizazz. Unfortunately I neglected to get a photo of our colour. Though it's not been potted up yet - it's going to be - yes, dear reader, I will finish at least one of my projects. Amazing I know.

Tiny kept escaping out our kitchen door. That baby sure loves to get filthy. Rather than the softest of pinks, I should really be dressing her in sand, chocolate and any other natural kind of shade so her escapades are camouflaged. Napisan and I are firm friends.

To keep her in one spot I popped a saucepan of water outside with her, along with mandatory wooden spoon, and her favourite - a pint-sized ball. Kept her still for - oh - two minutes.

My hot weather wear is one of my very favourite dresses that I picked up at the markets yonks ago - just a little cotton number with Steven Seagulls (or if you prefer, they can be Jonathon Livingston Seagull). Thongs - compulsory (sheesh, just realised that if you're a US reader, you may be thinking that I'm saying g-strings are compulsory - for you dear US reader, please read flip-flops).

And here's where I am expecting MENSA to come knocking. Matt, for some reason, felt the urge to buy not one, not two, but four loaves of bread on Tuesday - AND a dozen small rolls. Given this sudden influx of carbohydrates, I am currently going gang-busters trying to use it all up before it becomes at one with penicillin. On the menu tonight - individual serves of garlic bread. Nigella, need a sidekick? Talk about genius.

De Clutter Bug

fairly unrelated photo - though a pretty spider's web is the ultimate in organised homes, isn't it? can you spot it amidst the greenery?

Still. Decluttering. While doing so, I've come across a lot of 'samples' of products that I work with.

I was over at Leni & Rose and she's been madly decluttering too. So inspired by her clean out, that I've now loaded my next load for the op shop. I've posted off some things I have been meaning to post for a couple of weeks, and my house is starting to look a little more normal. Less bric a brac, more home. Otherwise I am teetering on the verge of setting up my own museum, I'll be charging an entry fee to the Doctor's room - and Tiny's. They house the largest collections of pre-loved finds (see The Bin entries if you don't know what I'm rabbitting on about).

Anyway - some of these samples include child safety products (a reputable brand in case you're worried). If you live in Australia and your home needs safety proofing, please email me or leave a comment and I'll randomly select someone to send the products to. In doing so, you're doing me a favour - huuuuge favour.

Who knew decluttering could lead to so many giveaways?

Fridge Buyback

I am still madly decluttering and trying to break the ring of silverfish that have taken up residence at our place (they're like some creepy style of squatter, except I keep finding them EVERYWHERE and yowsers, they are huuuuge).

Part of this declutter was our fridge. Our fridge (which was given to us) kept freezing everything. My most memorable frozen thing was getting out a fresh container of tabouli that I had made, and was so excited to eat for lunch - to find it was frozen. I ate it anyway, but it was more like parsley sorbet - not so crash hot.

It froze everything. Frozen watermelon - not good. Frozen capsicums - not good. Frozen cheese - not so good. Frozen artichokes - not so good. I shan't go on.

We've switched fridges to a younger model. Perhaps we're having a mid-life crisis of sorts. Hopefully this one is not hell-bent on freezing everything.

And this is where it gets really exciting (as if it wasn't exciting enough - come on, you know it was!). If you've got a spare fridge and want to get rid of it - click here (for Sydney-ites only) to learn about the Fridge Buyback!

The fridges are taken away (if they fit the criteria) and the metals recycled - and you get $35 and a reduced electricity bill (and less greenhouse gases is the best bit yet!).

The First Day

The Doctor had his first day at pre-school today. Well not so much a 'day' but just two short, sweet hours. Enough for me to start missing him, and just a 'taste test' for him. And now he's wondering why he can't go back tomorrow.

For me, this is the beginning of being apart. We do almost everything together, so I've been riding on a wave of excitement for him, to being boom-tossed by the wave and feeling a little sad that my first-born is off the starters so soon - but with so much excitement. It'd be terrible for me to try and hold him back just for my own sake. He is thrilled with this next big step.

Tiny even missed The Doctor today. Chanting his name as we drove away. His name comes out as 'Nang Nang', or 'Nah Nah'. She continued for the entire time.

The Doctor returned home pooped. So pooped he had to have a sleep today. A rare, rare occurrence 'round these parts.

I know we'll hit our stride, and it will all become part of our family's week, but for now, it's new and a little secret tear is shed now and then. But don't tell the Doctor.

We Are A Lucky Country

For visitors not in Australia, today is Australia Day. A celebration of our country and all who live here and make our country what it is. Truly lucky.

We went to visit my sister and her family who are staying at Darling Harbour at the moment. I am not usually a fan (and you'd never really catch me down there) of this area of Sydney. It's very touristy. BUT today they had all sorts of fun going on down there to celebrate Australia Day.

Lots of street performers including this ride 'em cowboy who taught the Doctor how to pat a bull (in case you're curious, pat, stop, pat).

The Doctor got to rock out to Bananas in Pyjamas, Jay Lagaia* and Fifi and the Flowertots. Talk about rock 'n' roll baby! The only thing missing was my very special air guitar.

And what happens after all good rock concerts? You run into two very large marsupials, that's what. The male marsupial was sporting some very over-sized appendages.

* Sorry for the Jay Lagaia link - eek - I can't find anything else, and well I thought this was kinda cute anyway, for nostalgia. And Jay's cute no matter.

I Am PottyMouthMama-saurus. Hear Me Roar.

this is the Doctor and his brand, spanking and much pined after Thomas backpack - ready for pre-school

Today we ventured into the Australian Museum. We'd been wanting to go for yonks, months ago, when I first learnt that they were showing dinosaurs, but the Doctor freaked out and didn't want to see them. He thought they were real, and I couldn't convince him otherwise. So we left it for a while.

Then me being spontaneous and all, decided that today we might just make a dash into the city and enjoy checking out some bones. The Doctor was into it.

We did it. It was fun. The Doctor ran madly from display to display checking everything out. He was thrilled with the bugs, the sea creatures, the snakes (a live one on display - eeeeek!), and especially the dinosaurs. The sign above is made entirely of... flies! So much goodness at the museum.

There's Kidscene which is an ace area for - surprise surprise - the kids to play, discover, paint, kick back, interact. It's cool for some time out from all the display areas.Tiny, though not impressed with the dinosaurs, was particularly interested in her sandwich. In case you're wondering, sourdough with cheese.

Enough chit chat, the smalls loved the museum and I have to say, after being under self-imposed house arrest all week due to the heat, it was good to be out in civilisation again.

Bathing Al Fresco For Babies Al Dente

My sister gave me this great idea to give the smalls their evening bath outside. This is day two and it's wonderful. Fantastic. Fun. Super cool. Great great great.

We went to Bunnings to make a grand purchase. 'The biggest bucket in the world' for the Doctor to relax in. Well we got a tub - kind of like a kiddie jacuzzi and he digs it. He carried it around the entire time we were there.

Tiny gets the baby bath which she sits in and then sneakily tries to stand in until Matt firmly tells her to sit down. We don't be needing grass stains on her small face now do we?

It's still stinking hot here. 41 stinking degrees today to be precise. I had a great idea to build a snowdome over the top of Sydney. Well I think it's great anyway. I can't stand this darn heat. It stinks.

I can't even bear to cook at the moment, so I'm skiving off with anything I can think of. Tonight BBQ chicken and a salad I whipped up (now that takes talent folks). I am running out of cold meals that the smalls can eat as well. I may have to *gasp* actually cook something this weekend.

And on another front, and purely for posterity I must record here one of my very favourite quotes from the Doctor from this week when I reached over the car seat to get him something:

"You're a good reacher Mum! You have very bendy arms."

Ah yes. I am Gumby hear me roar. Yeah you heard me right, I roar baby. But only on the hottest of days.

So. I Read A Book

It's amazing the time that's passed between books. Books that draw me in and I can't put down. It feels exactly how I imagine forever feels like. A long, long time. I don't even remember the last book that captivated me.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a great read. I am a book worm. Love words. Read anything. When I'm eating breakfast I'll read anything and everything on the table. Cereal boxes. Random pieces of paper. Even bills. Crazy I know.

But due to lack of 'me time' I've not been into a book for a while. It takes me a little time to first up find something - and then get into it. And I'm one of those people that if it doesn't get me in the first say 10 pages, I put it down, to be read later (read: the 18th of never). However, there is one exception, one of my all time favourite reads is 'The God of Small Things'. I struggled for 65 pages - then finally hit my stride. It was worth it. Arundhati Roy is an incredible writer.

Anyway, I digress. The book I have just finished in record time is 'Goldengrove'. I first read about it in SMH's Spectrum. It touted it as the next 'The Catcher in the Rye'. While I see what they were getting at, I don't think it's that, but it's a good, easy and engaging read. And Francine Prose (HA! - great surname for a writer, yes?) delivers a great read that I hungrily devoured in just a few short days.

It's about a 13 year old girl, Nico, whose sister drowns in the lake. The story explores the Summer following, a period of loss, love and adolescent exploration.

If you're in Australia you can buy it from here. If you're an international reader of mystery here will do you nicely.

There ends my book review (written because Matt is watching a movie I don't want to watch, and I've got nothing better to do. HMPH!).

Empty Lunchboxes = Hungry Tummies

Given the Doctor is starting pre-school next week, I've been giving lunchboxes a bit of thought. A lot of thought actually.

I've got the basics covered off, fruit, yoghurt, sandwiches - all the usual suspects, but I'm looking for something a little more exciting to start serving up for the small fry. And the lunchboxes have a pre-requisite of being healthy, nutritional, low in salt and not too sugary...

What are some nifty little things you include in your kidlins lunchboxes?

I'm thinking mini-muffins, maybe some ANZAC biscuits, popcorn, carrot/celery sticks & dip... Gimme gimme gimme some ideas. I know there's a whole world of goodness out there.

Would You Like This?

I'm clearing out my house. It's a sort of liquidation sale, except I'm not liquidating, I'm just getting rid of stuff.

If you live in Sydney, you're willing to pick this basket up, and you want it - let me know, it's yours.

It's one of the bin finds. I was holding onto it for my sister, as I kind of think it's a little creepy. But don't let that stop you. It's cute. From a distance. The only thing I find creepy is that it's those fake plastic flowers that people sometimes put on graves. Anyway. You might like it. It is cute. It's definitely vintage. And if you want it. It's most definitely yours.

Activities...

I am quietly attempting to steer the Doctor away from playing with trains all day. Why, you may well ask...? Simply because I've said it once and I'll say it again, I can't stand playing trains all day, and PS - the Doctor starts pre-school next week and can't play trains for the hours he's there. Well maybe he can, but I'm trying to bring him back to doing a range of things rather than just pushing the trains around and around.

So today we got stuck into our activity box. The Doctor is 3 years and eight months. Here are some things he's been enjoying lately...

- Gerald the Giraffe: My sister gifted this gorgeous puppet to him. He LOVES it. I mean love, love, loves it. Gerald eats all his toys. Gerald tries to eat him. I have never seen anyone laugh as manically as the Doctor when Gerald starts to rumble him. Even Tiny thinks Gerald is the best - he's super dooper soft, and realistic. A real asset to our home.

- Cork Pictures: My other sister gave this to the Doctor for Christmas. Good for hand-eye coordination and imagination, this is a definite winner. We lie on our bed and construct pictures for long spurts of time (ok twenty minutes is a long time for him).

- Quiet Time: I've been setting his little alarm clock so that when his quiet time is up, it goes off and he knows he can come out of his room. Very good for my sanity.

And while I think of it here's a cool resource for mamas with small fry... In fact, there's heaps on this site for you to do with the smalls..

The Doctor's Appointments

The Doctor starts pre-school next week. Oh man, he is soooo ready for it, but am I?

He's so ultra excited - whenever we talk pre-school his ears prick up and he raves about the friends he is going to make. The games he's going to play. The white buses he'll look at (he remembers them from orientation day). So sweet.

Me...? I'm feeling a little nervous. I think he's going to be fine. I think he's going to soar in fact. But me. Well I've been home with him for the whole of his life. What am I going to be without my trusty sidekick?

It would be like Laurel without Hardy.

The Two Ronnies minus One Ronnie (remember this scene from Extras?).

Itchy without Scratchy.

Posh without Becks.

Ginger without Fred.

Bangers without mash.

Tea without a biscuit.

Chocolate without a cavity. Ok - scratch that one.
A flower without a petal.

I know by now you're getting my story. I'm going to feel a little lost until we hit our stride again. For now we're enjoying our Summer days. Catch ups in the park with friends. Painting in the afternoons. Evening swims. Cuddles a-go-go. It's love.

I promised I'd post about another find from Sunday. So here it is. The Doctor's own little chair. Perhaps he might like to pop it in his waiting room. It needs a little love - maybe some new upholstery, a little tinkering, but for the most part, it's just dandy.

We also found a totem tennis thing (or as the Doctor likes to call it 'toe tap tennis') which I had wanted since pre-Christmas, so that was a total SCORE - even if I do always lose.

A Good Weekend Junking: Why My Husband Is Worth His Weight In Beer

This weekend I yielded more from other people's junk. I am like a pig in mud. I love junk. I'd roll in it too if I could.

Even my son now has the taste for junking around the neighbourhood. We picked up some things this afternoon (which I'll blog about tomorrow), so excited he was the Doctor said, "Come on Mummy, let's go find some more junk. We need to get other people's junk." He still looks for the bin house and wonders why they don't have any junk out the front. (And when I served cake to my MIL recently, he proudly declared - "Mummy found that plate in the bin." Ah yes, a proud moment indeed. I can assure you, my MIL's reaction was pretty darn funny too.)

While Matt is not totally sold on the idea, I do have to thank him for my favourite treasure from today.

We were innocently driving to do the big grocery shop for the week. The boys were heading to the skate park across the road. Tiny and I drew the short straw and were heading straight for slow trolley pushers who aisle-hog while they decide whether they'll get homebrand biscuits, or splash out on some brand name. Exciting stuff.

But before we had even driven one minute, I spotted a pile of garbage. I slowed down. And it really was garbage. Keep rolling restless travellers!

Not two houses on, more garbage, and this time - two old chairs, an old mirror that belonged to a dressing table - and this chest of drawers. We have a wild shortage of storage in this house. Matt was vehemently saying, no no no, it was almost a chant. But luckily I was in the driver's seat. I did a lap, emptied out our boot, and whilst doing so, struck a deal with Matt - if he helped, I owed him a six pack of import beer. Now kids - this is how bargaining is done - watch Mummy and Daddy and learn. Deal!

We drove back to the junk and I confirmed that this set of drawers was indeed destined for great things.

The bummer is it didn't fit in our car boot. I had already pre-imagined Matt weasling out of our deal and saying - too hard, let's go shopping. Thankfully given his next stop was the skate park, we loaded the car up with the drawers, and the actual chest onto his skateboard and he wheeled the darn thing home. I'm damn sure it was a funny sight.

Stamped on the back 1945, and a Mark Foys piece, someone's had this for an age and loved it - and we in turn will love it too. Cute, innit it?

Picking Up The Pace: Super Pretty

I've decided to pick up the pace - I'm celebrating one year of PottyMouthMama tomorrow, and I am starting daily blogging again, I've been a little lax.

This morning I met my sister at the markets. We were prepared for all sorts of beauties. I'm not sure what she thought she'd snaffle, and really, I'm not sure what I thought I'd snaffle (a few lucite necklaces, some gorgeous ceramics, a new vintage skirt), but it was a little disappointing. More stolen goods than vintage beauties if you get my drift.

Reminds me of the time (the one and only time before you start thinking I am some jet-setting goddess) Matt and I were in Paris. It was cold. It was grey. We caught the metro to the flea market - I had ideas in mind of generations of forgotten furniture, discarded Dior, boxes of Balenciaga, lost Louboutins a jewellery box full to over-flowing of costume jewellery. Boy oh boy, I was excited.

My excitement lasted all of about 30 seconds when we arrived at the marche aux puces. Nothing like what I had imagined. It was a market like one of those set up at the show - cheap socks, cheap and mass-produced clothes. Sadly I left empty handed. We quickly stepped back onto the Metro 'cause things felt a little shifty. The train got stopped and checked over by the police. Nobody allowed off. Nobody allowed on. I remember my heart - Boom! Boom! Boom! What a dud!

Back to local markets - we found a lady selling the most delicious selection of mismatched crockery. Here are my buys for the day.

Kiddie Craft:: The Ultimate Ice Cube Tutorial

Like I said in my previous post, ice cubes are good. While anyone reading in the Northern Hemisphere might be able to walk outside and collect a handful of ice, we're relying on the freezer to do its magic. Here's a foolproof way to keep the smalls interested in bath time.

What you need:

- plastic containers (don't use any rigid plastic, as it cracks when the water expands - did you ever expect to learn anything by visiting my blog? No? Well, you did today. Surprised us both)

- plastic animals, or any small toys that are ok to be frozen (here I'm using some wild circus animals that perform stunts willy nilly around our kitchen)

- water

- optional: food colouring

1. Place animal (or small toy) into the plastic container.

2. Fill with water.

3. If you feel the need, you can add food colouring. This adds another dimension to this exercise. But you don't have to. Water au naturel is just as good.

4. Pop into the freezer. Leave until frozen rock-solid (at least a few hours).

5. Once frozen (and it's bath time, or ice cube play time) take out of freezer. We pop them into the bath and let the melting good times begin.

Here at PottyMouthMama, we know how to party.

The End.

Ideas For Super Hot Weather

Here are some ideas for hot weather, most specifically, when the air-conditioner is gone, and you're too scared of funnel webs to go swimming:

- go shopping in a big shopping centre (you don't have to buy anything, just enjoy that chilled air that they're pumping out)

- hit the library. It's free. The above is testament to what happens when we hit the library. We have a 20 book limit per library card. Lucky I forgot the Doctor's card so we couldn't go gung-ho to 40.

- ice cubes are good. Yes. And the little ones love ice cubes, watching them, crunching on them. They're great in the bath too. If you put some water in a container and put some of the kids animals in them in the water, then freeze them, then by their evening bath, they have icebergs to watch melt and the animals are freed! Trust me. It's genius.

- keep the curtains closed and watch some great movies. For now, I have to be content watching Thomas the Tank Engine *yawn*

- strictly no baking - no matter how badly you're hankering for those choc chip cookies - no baking!

- book a date with your lover and go to the movies. darkness, great movie, even greater company - can't fault it. Perhaps a choc top too?

- which brings me to my next point: eat some ice cream.

- if all else fails, eat some more ice cream, it's my current modus operandi - and it's working (on expanding my waist line I suspect).

What are your tactics for beating the big heat?

Blueberries & Blackbirds

My baby loves to eat blueberries. I'm not just talking a couple here and there. I give her a few, she gobbles them up. Then sits there pointing at the other blueberries that are just out of her reach, and if I don't see her pointing, she screeches at me. She's on a punnet a day habit.

Like one of my friends said yesterday, she's going to live 'til she's 900 on all those anti-oxidants. Damn fools, the girl sure does love blueberries.

We've not been doing much. It's so hot. Our air-con has gone - poof!- it's not working, so we're best friends with the fans, and sitting very, very still. I've even taking to going to large shopping centres purely to enjoy their air-conditioning.

Yesterday we went for a post-storm swim. The rain was even cold. Strangely, there was steam coming off the footpath following the short stretch of rain. It's too damn hot.

Here are a list of other things it's too damn hot for:

- baking - no amount of oven time is currently acceptable

- scarves - no, no, no - strictly no scarves

- jeans - eek - jeans are not sweltering weather-wear
- hot food - we're into anything served cold

- too much physical activity - we're strictly slothing it at the mo'

As for The Doctor, I find him sneaking out of his bedroom after bedtime. I find him looking out our kitchen door into the trees. He turns to me and says, "Mum, look at that beautiful bird." I look up and see a big, black crow, resplendent in his feathers. It's Summer here and the city is hot.

The Aftermath

The handkerchief has been gifted. The wedding is over. I was the last bridesmaid standing. All the others flew the coup. How did it happen? Perhaps my dancing scared them off. I am known to break out a bit of line-dancing and slap leather. Yeeeeehaaaw!

In any event it was a wonderful day. The ceremony so moving. I never cry at weddings, but several times had to fend off the tears. Never fear, I didn't let a tear roll - I didn't want to ruin my make-up.

And now here's the aftermath. The anti-climax if you will.

Though for me it's all about letting the good times roll.

My sister and her family have just moved back to Sydney. How totally and utterly exciting for us. This can only mean good things for me. Let the good times roll sister! Those who thrift together, stay together. Or haggle between one another for the best of the best at the markets, the op shops, oh such fun.

And me. Well I'm enjoying a little downtime. I didn't get a chance to get started on the next handkerchief, so thought I might do something today, as well as juggle some work and of course - be a mama. Then I'll post it over to my friend for when she arrives back in London...

For now, I'm still madly de-cluttering, filling my house with pink carnations (what in tarnation, it's a carnation!), setting up the raddest track alive courtesy of this very generous lady, and trying to move as little as possible because it's so impossibly hot-hot-hot.

PS - The winner of my giveaway is Taccolina. Hit me with your address and I'll promptly clutter your house for you!

Progress Report: Not To Be Sneezed At

Dear Diary,

So I continued on with my wonky little project to hand.

Dear Diary, I had to intermittently take breaks because for some unknown reason, I felt a lot of pressure with this stitchery.. I'm worried she'll think it's too wonky.

But besides some little hearts I want to add - and I mean little as in teeny tiny, I think it's done. Cute? Quaint? Will my friend know how I love her so?

What do you think Diary?

I'm starting another, and I hope to be a little more lucid with this one. I'm thinking of letting go of the uptight me, the one that's worrying, and just go forth and create. I hope this works dear Diary, because otherwise I may have to take stress leave from my embroidery.

Pimp Stitch always has some awesome ideas. Inspirations. Colours. Ideas.. Ahh I can tap that.

In other reports, I have three things that I am sending to Pip. In exchange, she's sending me three things. I hope she likes the three things I have carefully selected for her. I'm doing well with my decluttering. I've already taken two big boxes to the op shop, with plans for more next week. Monday - Post Office.

Anyway diary, I'm feeling weary. Must go brush my hair one hundred times, repaint my fingernails, apply my fake tan with one hand and stare longingly at my Rick Astley posters. A busy day.

xxx

Wedding Bells

My very good friend is getting married. If ye are she, then don't read on.

If you are not, then read on and please, gimme some feedback.

I'm embroidering onto a handkerchief. A little old school I know, but I thought, perhaps a little romantic, a little whimsical. I hope you don't say naff, that's not an adjective I want to be hearing! Oh and I am doing it in their wedding colours to tie it all in.

So I got a little scared about the initials, so am leaving them 'til last (hey why not work backwards?!). I bordered it with chain stitch, and have done the wedding date.. It's a little wonky I know, but is it endearing, or just plain ugly/wonky?

Help a bridesmaid out.

PS - Don't forget my giveaway. You can still enter. You can still help me declutter my house (I promise, no dustballs for you!).

I Like Tins

A while ago, in a galaxy, far, far away, I was lucky enough to win a competition on cute to boot site Tinniegirl.

So beautifully packaged, and such a great surprise to open, inside lay a veritable Aladdin's Cave of delights that were tuned perfectly with the beaautiful tin.

Just check it out!

If you take your own booty over here to visit Tinniegirl, or you can even buy your own booty at Tinniegirl's shop. Perfect for gifting (to yourself or others), there's a really fab selection.

Now I have to think of something to make... Hmm... Thanks TinnieGirl!

PS - Don't forget my giveaway. Enter now and help me declutter my house.

PottyMouthMama On A Hot Tin Roof

Phew! When it's hot it's hot. The Doctor is wondering where all this 'sweating' is coming from. I'm sitting in our living room, which is currently doubling as a sauna. Hot in the city is damn right!

I could do one of those ads and say "I lost twenty-two kilos in one hour, just by sitting at the computer, just pay $20 and come sit in my living room and you too can do the same!" My living room = the ultimate sauna destination.

Right now we're into card games. Snap for the smalls. Uno for the biggies.

Phew! It's hot. Ice cold drinks all 'round.

If only I looked this saucy hanging about my house on such a stinker.

Crazy In The Coconut

We had one of those weekends with lots of zipping about the city.

Saturday zipping about deepest, darkest suburbia doing odd-jobs.

A hen's do on Saturday night.

Sunday we headed off to a wedding for one of Matt's good friends. I didn't actually take any photos at the wedding. In fact, the camera didn't even make it out of the car. But I captured some of the scenery as we zipped and zoomed. My testament to spending a proportion of my weekend in the car. A sad reality of life in the 'burbs - but at least the scenery is pretty!

All in all, a really fun/ny weekend with friends in lurve.

Now I'm into the grind of the week, things to do, heat to dodge, babies to woo, pre-schoolers to play with, dinner to cook (am I the only one that is so sick of dinner I want to delete it??).

What's in your dinner repertoire that's easy to make and keeps the punters happy?

A Giveaway-way-way: Step One On The Road To Recovery - Declutter

Look at me - my resolutions are flying in the wind like a flag. Am I a trailblazer of sorts? I don't even do resolutions. But here I am decluttering. I've already taken four boxes to the op shop. Go me! Truth be, this giveaway has been a long time in the making. There are a lot of things around my house that I think, hmm, that's not quite me, but you know I think Miss X might dig it. So here it is. My little pre-PottyMouthMama One Year Birthday.

Pip at Meet Me At Mikes kicked me off. I'm sending her some things. She's sending me some things. Together we're kicking a declutter of sorts. Dig it?

But this one, this one is for you dear reader. If you tell me the silliest thing you've hoarded, I'll tell you mine.

Oh darn it, I can't wait that long, I'll tell you one thing right now.

I kept a whole heap of dresses that I wore when I was 15/16, 'just in case' they came back in again. Thankfully my flatmate at the time held an intervention and forced me to throw them in the charity bin when I was 23. They were NEVER coming in again. I find it hard to get rid of fashion. Particularly my vintage loves. But you know, some things have to fly.

So tell me, wherever you are in the world, one of the silliest things you've hoarded ever. Entries close in around a week's time when I remember. Deal?

PS - the above is a selection of things.. but not truly indicative of what the winner will take. But I promise you, I will make it good!

High Fives All 'Round - The New Year Is Here... Just In Case You Missed It.

Because as you know, I missed it. Woke up for a quick feed at 11:30pm, and was back in bed, back to sleep at 11:47pm. How's that for timing? Awesome I tell you! I didn't have to dance around the room with strangers screeching Auld Lang Syne. Didn't have to make small talk with strangers. Didn't have to fight for a view of the fireworks. Didn't have to do anything except close my eyes and fall into the deepest sleep possible.

Welcome 2009.


We celebrated the first day with a visit to the beach. We spotted two dolphins arcing off the water near some surfers. Tiny's first foray into the sand. And didn't she love it? She crawled off into the sand and had to be chased a number of times. She had crazylegs at the sight of the waves, and then the cool water crashing over her.

The Doctor went crazy for construction. Dig, dig, digging. Unfortunately in his haste to pack all his diggers and construction vehicles, he forgot to include a bucket. Kind of integral to building in sand. Fear not, we made do with my drink bottle and built and built and built.

We only stayed a short time. Being moontanners, the sun does unkind things to our skin, and I'm not mad for collecting melanomas and sun spots.


New Year's Resolutions, I hear you ask?


Hmm. I sigh in response. I always forget them within a week. But I'm inspired by Pip's. But I'll add another two key words for our family:


- declutter - key for me, particularly after the bin episodes.
- awakenings. As in, we're going to be doing some things differently around here. And it's going to feel fresher than fresh. Fresher than brand spankin' new. Awakenings are good.
- Play. Enjoy it. Get down on the floor and play.

- Oh and one last thing. Apparently I have a bit of a computer love going on. Apparently I need to spend less time with my laptop, and more with the man-child. so i guess that will be happening too. Ahem.

Happy New Year. Hope it's super sparkly.