I don’t know if I’m late to the party but I just recently finished watching the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit”
I was tempted to start watching by myself but decided to include hubby in my tv watching decision. I must say that we both loved it and consumed the episodes at great speed.
Netflix poster for The Queen’s Gambit
So what is The Queen’s Gambit About?
The show is based on Walter Trevis’s 1983 novel called, The Queen’s Gambit.
It is about a girl called, Beth Harmon who gets orphaned after a car accident kills her mum. The show starts in the 1950s and progresses through the 1960s.
After Beth is orphaned she is taken to an orphanage for girls. She is then introduced to chess from the building custodian, Mr Shaibel. While at the orphanage she is exposed to taking daily tranquillizers as this is a way the home keeps the children under control. Due to taking these pills daily, Beth grew to rely on them.
Mr Shaibel teaching a young Beth Harmon to play chess
Beth sneaks downstairs to have secret chess lessons from Mr Shaibel and it is slowly revealed that she is a chess prodigy. Mr Shaibel introduces Beth to a contact at the local high school that has a chess group so that Beth can learn more and be exposed with other fellow chess players.
Beth enters chess tournaments and gets better and better. It is interesting to watch how Beth grows up as a young woman and becomes her own person rather than relying on a mother figure or another adult.
Also, I was taken with the 1960’s fashion and furnishings. Just loved this part of the show too.
I loved this show, it was fun, griping and a good drama.
Many of my friends have raved about this series and I thought I will get to it one day. If you have heard good things about this show I would urge you to give it a go.
We have loved having Netflix and it has been godsent with lockdowns and not being able to travel or go anywhere in 2020 and also in 2021.
Send some more suggestions for more shows that I can binge watch.
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Kids can build a Piper Computer Kit – Great STEM Project
When I was about twelve years old I developed breasts before any of my friends did and due to me being different I was teased. It was very silly really, the one thing I had no control over and it was something that I was picked on for.
My girls are now twelve and are going through the changes that all kids do pre-adolescent. This time has been rather trying as a parent. I have been met with grumpy kids that would rather not speak or just yell at me. Basically, they have been super moody and frustrating to deal with. I do understand that their body is going through massive changes but it has been exhausting dealing with the moods.
I would like to think that kids will not tease others for things that they cannot control, but this will not happen. My girls are dealing with a few pimples here and there and some kids have not been that kind. I’ve told the twins that pimples don’t last, and all they need to do is to wash their faces and don’t pick at them – soon they will be gone and their faces will be pimple free!
I was lucky to be sent a book about body image for girls and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Charlotte Markey has covered absolutely everything that a young girl would need to know; the book discusses periods, health, weight, and the fact that there is no need to diet, changes with their bodies in regards to pimples, breast development, and what is actually happening during puberty.
The Body Image Book for Girls has interviews with women of all ages on what happened to them – these interviews give girls an insight into others’ lives and show them that everyone goes through the same thing.
It is great to have such a detailed, approachable, and down to earth book for girls during what some find as a very confusing time in their lives.
If you have a girl who is nearly a teenager they will really love this book. I know mine do, even if they look at it secretly in the comfort of their own room the details of this feel-good book will allow girls to be empowered and like the title says grow up fearless.
Enter the code: LOVE15 at checkout at the Cambridge University Press website to get the discount. The offer ends on the 30th of January 2021.
Get your young girls a bit of empowerment today.
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Kids can build a Piper Computer Kit – Great STEM Project
Every time I turn on the TV every station says, “It’s a year like no other” and “We are all in this together” This is nice to know but I am rather over hearing these phrases.
Oh deer what a year! We can all agree 2020 wasn’t a great year.
My 2020 started when we were in the midst of constant bushfires and we watched the fires near me app more than our television. The fires in the Blue Mountains had actually started in about September or possibly earlier in 2019 so we had about five months of constant fires, sirens, smoke and living with a go bag packed just in case.
When the winds changed near the end of 2019 the residents of the city of Sydney were whinging about having smoke in there backyard and having the constant smell of smoke. I know it was hard for them, but have a thought for us and others that were living this every day for months on end. No one seemed to worry if we had smoke where we lived but as soon as it blows into someone’s fancy penthouse or apartment it is national news story. Oh well there is my whinge about that issue.
Just before Christmas 2019 we were planning on visiting family but decided to leave a day earlier as they were closing the road going to Sydney and had already closed the road to Mudgee and beyond. Yep, where I live there is one road in and one road out… so if they are closed and the emergency department says ti is to late to leave you are stuck with no where to go. We thought it best to go while the road was still open and as we have 3 young children cannot just make quick decisions for all. We were lucky our place wasn’t burnt down and still in one piece, however there were burnt leaves that were still on fire flying into our yard, black ash over everything and heavy smoke and a red fire sun on our return in 2020.
Fireworks has been cancelled nearly everywhere. Sydney cancelled the 9pm fireworks and has told people to watch on the TV for the 12pm fireworks.
We thought that if we could only just get through the fires we would all be okay. Have the public holidays in January, get jobs and move on from there.
The fires were not the only thing that happened to our local community. We had floods and weeks and weeks of heavy rain that caused a lot of damage. Again, we were lucky to escape this damage on our property but we knew others that didn’t have such luck. Many had trees come down on roofs and one had a tree land on a car (the only plus here was that they were not in it at the time).
Many job applications later and nothing from anyone. It was all okay we thought, it is just the fact that it is just after the holidays. More job applications and many people who finally spoke to us said they were putting jobs on hold. At the time we were not sure why, but thought that it might be due to budgets.
Fast forward to March 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic had hit Australia, we were on the brink of a full shutdown, border closures, and schools telling parents that if you were not an essential worker then you will need to home school your child or children. We were not considered essential workers and this then meant that all three kids were home with us doing school work all the while I was trying to do some paid work. This as you imagine was very hard.
Homeschooling only lasted for about four months, I do know that other countries have had nearly a whole year of having kids at home learning. I am very happy that we didn’t have longer with all three kids at home, it was very testing to say the least….many swear words and more were uttered due to the horrible circumstances.
With the second wave that happened in Melbourne and Sydney suddenly facing more infctions everywhere, well it seems everywhere but it has been a little over a hundred new infections currently. Although it seems low the powers that be have cracked down hard due to the fact that the virus can spread quickly and infect many in a short space of time.
I was hoping that on the last day of the year that we would be in a better position, however, borders are closed to everyone from New South Wales, wearing masks is now said should be mandatory and we need to make sure to only have 5 people visit our home which includes kids and adults.
I’m very grateful to have a contract that is bringing money into the household and has made Christmas and life a little bit easier. It is nice to be working again in the corporate world, although I do miss some fun things with the kids. In a year where we desperately needed someone to work I have taken on that role to give us all a helping hand.
My relatives in the UK are having a much harder time. A full shutdown is happening and a mutation of the virus is so much more infectious. More people are in hospital and intensive care since April, and thousands and thousands are getting infected each day and sadly dying. Over 40,000 people tested positive during the last seven days in the UK. (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55494800)
I also feel for everyone in America as the numbers for infections are enormous. I must say that I feel very happy to be in a country that doesn’t tie your health care and other help to your job. In a crisis, you can lose your job and then all other benefits and assistance dry up.
2020 showed the world and big corporates that people can work from home and still do their jobs. Remote working isn’t a thing to flash in front of prospective staff or exisiting ones to hopefully keep them on or interested, it is something that actually works and remote staff have been shown to be highly engaged, do more work and yes, get more shit done!
As a mum and a person who would love more flexibility with her work life having businesses have remote roles are fantastic. I also don’t think they can go back now to saying that they cannot offer this. It is not just the young things that are working away that want to be flexible or have a remote schedule, no matter your age, where you are in life, having a flexible work life is a great thing to have and to strive for. 2020 has shown us that this can happen, it is not a new concept and one that I have always been promised at every place I have worked and yet it never ever happened or materialized until now.
See how a crisis makes things happen, sad don’t you think!
I hope that big business continues offering remote and flexible work to people. It has been proven it works and can be done, oh and it is cheaper to not have a dedicated desk for someone…. see it can have its benefits for both parties.
Being with family more this year has meant that we have spent more quality time together, and sometimes this time has been annoying. If you are a family of five and you cannot escape due to restrictions you have nowhere to go…I was keen to go to the library earlier in the year but it was closed, although now open.
I wish people wouldn’t panic over toilet paper
And don’t get me started on the stupid panic buying of toilet paper that has happened again. Yes, more idiots are stockpiling toilet paper due to new infections. I recently went to get some toilet paper to find that the aisle has yet again been emptied by people who are making sure they can go to the toilet with massive amounts of paper they are hoarding! I don’t understand why this is happening and still a thing. If you were worried about not leaving your house, wouldn’t buy bread, milk, and canned goods?
With 2021 nearly upon us I find it is a time to reflect on how lucky and grateful I am. I am very grateful for the house we live in, although it is not perfect and I want to fix so many things, it is ours, and it keeps us safe. I am grateful that we have all stayed healthy and not got the virus, I am grateful for the help we have had from the government to help us out when we had nothing and I am grateful for getting a job just before Christmas.
I did have big plans for 2020 but like everyone they didn’t occur due to the world health crisis, no money, no job, and then no way to travel. My big plans are waiting until things get better and some of my other big plans are going to happen next year in 2021.
I hope you and your family are well and safe. This year was horrible for all and I know that many are still suffering. I hope that things improve and 2021 brings you more of what you want.
Maybe Happy New Year is not what we should be saying…maybe we should be saying we survived, and we can do anything in 2021 after this year.
What are your thoughts on 2020? How did you cope during the pandemic and the economic crisis?
It really doesn’t feel like it going to be Christmas Day tomorrow. I do feel extremely exhausted and hanging for the holidays, maybe this is due to all the stress and uncertainty that 2020 has brought.
The kids especially my four-year-old and very soon to be five years old is so excited for Christmas. He’s been singing made-up Christmas songs and doing fun dances around the house and also out in public. I am sorry to all the people that were at Woolworths the other day when my little boy went into Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer at the top of his lungs! Yes, that was us… and cmon it is the festive time of year so this loud vibrant Christmas cheer should be forgiven right….. Well, there were a few people that were giving me horrible looks and tut-tutting at this situation.
Moonpig is a wonderful place to find one of a kind cards and mugs, not only can you get fun gifts you can personalise them to make them even more unique.
Not only can Moonpig create stunning gifts and cards, but they can also mail them for you too!
My new mug from Moonpig…and yes I made it myself.
Moonpig has so many wonderful mugs to choose from and some you can even add your own photos to. I decided to add a fun saying, you will note that my mug says I am having a meeting. It is hard when you work alone most of the time, you have to have a chat with yourself or else nothing gets organised!
Christmas gifts from Moonpig that will make everyone smile
Some fun and new cards from Moonpig
It was super easy using Moonpig to organise and order my card and mug. Once my order was placed it was at my house in a few days time…so that was super quick if you ask me.
Make sure to get a fun card for your next birthday/anniversary/thank you present and while you are there order a one of a kind mug for your special someone.
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Games that make you think and solve problems are fun, a game that means you can only leave the room when you have the right pin code to open the door is even better.
TRAPPED Escape Room Games allow you to turn “ANY room into a family-friendly escape-room adventure where you move around the room actively solving puzzles.”
We have never played an escape room game so as you can imagine the kids and I were rather excited.
I loved the fact that it was a game that made the kids think and is engaged, plus not staring at a screen for a while.
“Each pack contains everything you need to create your very own escape room in your own home. Wall posters, cards to display, hangers for door handles, ID cards, and secret envelopes are just some of the things you might find inside the pack along with clues to solve and awesome puzzles to crack.”
All the posters, clues and tools needed to crack the puzzles and solve the mystery.
Setting up the game
I put all the contents of the game onto the floor of the girl’s room. I then proceeded to read the instructions to understand what I needed to do. There are a lot of little clue cards and a few posters that need to be stuck around the room, on each card/poster it says where you should put them. Some will say stick on the wall and others say they should be near the exit and so on.
Fun playing the game and solving puzzles.
The pack comes with a book of clues and a code cracker (this is a cardboard cover that allows certain words to be read and others not. You need this when you get asked to read a clue). We did have some interference from a four-year-old who tried to scrunch and rip the code cracker but this was foiled by mummy distracting him and allowing sisters and their mate to play their mystery game.
The instructions didn’t give a great deal of information. I wanted to know if we had to put all cards out. Do the clues on the back of the work passes get read at any time or will that spoil the game if it happens earlier? The mystery envelope with the clues to the code that unlocks the door was already organised so I had no idea what was in there.
If the kids did decide to play in teams how do they negotiate time with the clue book and code cracker? This might prove difficult. Oh well, currently it was just the girls and their mate, so a total of 3 kids originally I was playing but I had to spend time distracting the four-year-old so that he would leave the older kids alone to solve the puzzles.
Cracking the code
Initial thoughts of the game
At first, we didn’t really know what we were doing. The kids and I were in teams. This was proving hard due to not having time at the clue book and one team saying that what they were looking at was super important.
It was then decided that they would work as one group and not have teams. It was a bit confusing about picking clues to work on. I suggested to the kids that they pick one clue and solve it and then go from there. I later found out that they took all the clues off the wall and solved them together, but also one at a time.
I thought the kids might solve the game quickly but it was a good couple of hours before girls and their friends emerged telling me that they had solved the puzzle and finally had the code to leave their room.
What did we think?
I think the game was a lot of fun and definitely worth playing. It was great to see the kids get so involved, help each other, and solve puzzles by finding clues. I believe that games that get kids thinking and away from screens are best.
This is how long the kids were playing the game for
Recommendations
I do have a few thoughts to make Trapped The Art Heist even better. When you have all the clues and materials ready to set up for the game, I would recommend having a few options for how you can set it up. It would be more like a chose-your-own adventure. You pick scenarios A, B, C, or D. These different options give you different clues in the room and different answers in the envelope when you finish. So if you pick Scenario B, you only put these clues up throughout the room. The posters might remain the same, and the mystery envelope would be different for each scenario that reveals the winners and the secret code.
The girls told me that no matter which way they went the answer to the puzzle was the same.
Great gift/party game
The kids really enjoyed this game and they were playing it for nearly 2 hours! We did thoroughly enjoy this game and it is a great gift or party game. If you are wanting a fun game for the family this Christmas Trapped Escape game would be a good one to try.
Trapped has two other escape room games to try; The Bank Job and The Carnival. You can get all three to have some fun during the holidays.
Stay tuned for the Trapped Giveaway
2 lucky readers have the chance to win a Trapped escape room game for the holidays.
I have the following to giveaway: Trapped The Bank Job and Trapped The Carnival. The Giveaway is going to be on my next post so make sure to follow and enter.
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If you wish to purchase a Trapped Escape Room Game they are available at ZING/EB Games, Mr Toyworld, BIG W and Mr Puzzle!
A HUGE thank you to U Games Australia for sending us this amazing and fun game to try. Plus the extra giveaways for my wonderful readers.
COVID has thrown a spanner in the works to everyone’s plans this year. We have all suffered lockdowns, not visited loved ones, missed family and friends, and had to cancelled much-awaited plans.
Now we are in October and with Halloween approaching, there are questions around what we can and cannot do if you are trick and treating this 31st of October.
The girls a fews ago dressed up for Halloween.
Check out what you can and cannot do here, it lists all states in Australia.
It is advised to keep your celebrations local, so don’t travel to different areas
You are not to have lollies in a communal bowl.
We have also been told to not have people knock on the front door, to have lolly bags on the front fence, and also have hand sanitiser available.
No backyard festivities and if you are decorating just do your front yard.
Family groups must stick together, practice social distancing, and should not mingle with others.
A NSW Health spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au that under coronavirus restrictions groups of children trick-or-treating would not be allowed to travel together.
If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 over Halloween, stay home, don’t receive Halloween visitors and get tested immediately
If you are self-isolating, don’t answer the door to trick-or-treaters
Make it a front-yard event, not at the front door of your house. Keep your celebrations outdoors and get creative in decorating the front yard
Only hand out individually wrapped treats
Don’t use communal lolly bowls. Consider other ways of distributing treats such as hanging them individually on your fence, front gate or up your driveway
Offer hand sanitiser at your front gate or fence
You may wish to avoid people knocking on your door by putting up a sign that says “We are home but due to COVID-19, we are distancing. Please take one, Happy Halloween”
Remember, you can only have 20 people on your property at one time.
This year I have decided to not take the kids trick or treating, and sadly to not have any lollies for anyone. I feel like it is too hard with the current restrictions.
Although we won’t be having things for others, I will do some fun things with the kids in our back garden and of course, create some Jack O Lanterns so we can have fun as a family.
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The weather is warming up, and if you concentrate there are different smells in the air, and for me, it smells like summer is on its way.
I’ve had doors and windows open, plus plants have all bloomed making my garden look like it has life in it once again. The past weekend was a long weekend was very hot at my house, but the rest of the week has been met with cooler temperatures. This sudden drop in temperature made me sad. I was hoping that the warmer temperatures were here to stay, maybe I have to wait a little longer for this to happen.
The kids have been lucky to see cicadas come out of their shells this year. Photo by Lillian.
We’ve been inundated with cicadas this year and listening to them chirp away in the warmth of the evening is very relaxing. Not only are the cicadas singing to find a mate, but many birds are also chirping and singing too.
Cicada out of its shell. Photo by Lillian
I have even been wearing shorts on the odd occasion as well as a t-shirt without a jumper. This occurrence is short-lived due to the changing weather in the mountains, but it is a taste of summer approaching.
With the warm weather last weekend it made me think about summer holidays, Christmas and the balmy weather that is in store for us soon.
The end of this year there is going to be massive changes for all the kids, the twins have their last ever term of primary school and my youngest gets to experience Kindy Transition before he starts Kindergarten next year.
I think I have already taken myself mentally on my summer holiday. It really has been a stressful year and still is. A holiday now would be bliss…what do you think?
And now to think about Christmas for the kids and getting the twins ready for their last term at primary school. It will be over in a blink of an eye and then I will be busy again getting ready for high school and kindy for all kids.
However while the busyness awaits for me, I long for the time that I can lie down and feel the warm breeze wash over me and also listen to the cicadas and birds.
Are you happy that the weather is getting warmer? That summer is giving us small hints it’s on its way. For a summer lover like me, I get very happy this time of year and excited that the summer holidays within my reach.
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It is nearly September and the weather is slowly warming up. I say slowly as the nights are very cold still and we have had also had gale force winds to boot.
Today it is sunny with brilliant blue skies. I have taken to cleaning windows and airing out the house, maybe I know that spring cleaning is a thing that is going to happen soon and I am getting a head start.
In a few weeks, my girls will be turning 12. Yep, they will be 12 years old! It is so hard to believe that my little babies are so grown up. They are keen to start their next phase of learning, but also excited and scared at the same time to go to high school next year.
Both girls have grown taller, more independent, and have been rather frustrating due to being in the pre-teen phase…actually it is like they are turning 20 or older rather than 12.
I suppose many parents go through this phase before their child/children hit puberty and become teenagers. We’ve been dealing with grumpy, argumentative, and kids who are taking great pleasure in ignoring their parents.
It is also sad that this year has had so many cancellations. The girls missed out on a camp due to the fires, and now COVID has cancelled basically everything that the girls were excited about this year.
When the girls were born it was during the GFC and that was a tough year on everyone and now 12 years later we have another economic disaster due to a global pandemic. I do hope that in another 12 years we don’t have another downturn.
The girls are hoping that the school can give them a proper year 6 farewell in term 4 but I think that due to the current restrictions this farewell will be rather different. I have explained to the twins that there is not much I can do about this and I do understand how devastated they are.
If we can I would love to take the twins and the family somewhere to celebrate at the end of the year but restrictions could put a stop to this. We cannot travel interstate and therefore all that is available to us is to travel within New South Wales. I personally wish to go to a beach but hubby believes that it will be packed and would like to stay away from the crowds.
I did hope by September we would be in a better situation regarding the virus and how it is affecting the economy, jobs, travel and so much more. I wish that everyone would do what we are supposed to so that we can lift restrictions soon, however, there is no cure for COVID-19 and we will still need to be on high alert.
Due to the uncertainty of the world and events, I have wavered between being rather down and depressed about everything, to then being positive about the possibilities that are in store for us all.
It is hard to plan and to achieve things when there are so many restrictions, it is hard to get a job when millions of others are applying for the same job. Well, it might not be millions but feels like it. I feel at the moment as the more you try the less you get and the harder it is…no one is getting back to you regarding jobs that you apply for, perfect roles that you tick all the boxes for and you don’t even get a phone call or interview.
Events that you have been so excited for are not happening, schools are cancelling everything and even concerts are now on Zoom! I’ve recently had a live event emailed to me but it is also now a Zoom event. I do understand that this is due to the current restrictions but it takes the fun for me out of it.
Have you been at a loss with what to do to make things better this year? Have you been applying for thousands of jobs to get nowhere? Or have you been super lucky and got a job.
I am grateful that we are all healthy and have a roof over our head, and also happy that our government is helping us financially.
This time at home has meant that there has been more work done on my shed. If you don’t know my shed is going to be my office space and creative place to work on my blog, sew, and also write. I do hope that it will be finished soon so that I can get on with my dreams and ideas.
Maybe due to the nature of this year, I have lost momentum or otherwise called my mojo.
Have you found that the more you stay at home the more you don’t want to do things or go places? Don’t get me wrong I would be the first one to sign up for an island family getaway, but I am not sure when that will be possible. I think I need to unsubscribe from some travel companies as they are constantly emailing me fabulous holidays that I can book now… however I am in New South Wales and cannot travel to these places.
It feels super cruel and evil to email someone that cannot travel and has no money to go stunning holidays all the time.
So with a house that is in desperate need of a HUGE Spring clean and a birthday to plan I have a lot to do but no motivation to do any of it. I do think that having many clones of myself would be helpful right now, by others could be cleaning and organising while I am relaxing.
Have you found 2020 hard for your motivation? I do admit that this year has been super stressful and difficult, and I hope that we get to the other side and come out without losing everything we have worked so hard to build for us and our kids.
Wish me well for creating a fantastic birthday cake for the twin’s 12th birthday. The girls only want a small party this year so I will only do a few things to make it special for them.
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This group of people is walking free among us, going about their business all in the full knowledge that they have the virus, they are intentionally spreading this to others and making it harder to get control of this illness.
I learned this while listening to the news on the ABC while I drove to pick up my son from childcare, well it was officially last Friday 31st of July when I heard the news. The newsreader announced that the armed forces had gone door to door to ensure that this group was at home and doing the right thing, only to discover that they were not at home! And some of this group was not home from the last checks!
My family and others have been in lockdown from March to about mid-May, we stayed at home, kept to ourselves and if we did go out we only ventured to the local oval to let the kids play a bit and then walk home. Our outings consisted of getting food and supplies from the shops and the odd visit to the doctors for the kids. When we went shopping only 1 person went to the shops, we didn’t make it a group outing.
I am now wearing a face mask to be extra safe. You never know right? Plus many places are wanting you to wear one so you can enter their business.
We’ve kept well and would like to keep it that way. We have explored a little bit now that restrictions have relaxed a little bit due to the spike in Victoria and some new cases in Sydney, these restrictions might come back with force.
Many have lost their jobs, are working from home, and are in real financial difficulty due to the impact of COVID, why would people want to prolong this horrible pandemic even longer than is necessary.
I do get the fact that you might need something from the shops, but many are doing home delivery now, and if you say you are at home isolating they can leave it on the front step and you can get the package or delivery at your leisure.
If it is work, the government said that they will pay you $1500 for a fortnight to be off work if you have to self isolate. It is not fun to be facing not being able to work but the community doesn’t stop the spread of this deadly infection then we will be in this terrible state as a country and worldwide for many years to come.
I don’t know about you, but I cannot face years of this situation! I want it to be over like yesterday, but in reality, if we can all just self-isolate and stop the disease spreading we will have a chance to get on top of the situation.
Yesterday the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrewsannounced strict stage 4 restrictions and even declared a statewide disaster due to the second wave of COVID -19 cases.
All people in Victoriaare now on a curfew with many other rules about what they can and cannot do.
Homeschooling starts again for all in Victoria on Wednesday this week and many will also be impacted by businesses and workplaces closing due to not being deemed essential.
I found it tough doing homeschooling and work, I feel for all those in Victoria as I know things will be tough and hard during the lockdown.
In Sydney, we have had more cases, and some areas have been dubbed clusters. I just hope that we can get a handle on it and be in a better situation for next year at the earliest.
Woolworths has made an announcement that all customers for all their stores and other businesses should wear masks. I now like others are donning a mask for my everyday tasks, however, my mask seems to slip off my ears… and for some reason, I only have this issue. Maybe I have weirdly shaped ears???? Where would I go to get a mask that fits and sits well with my odd ears?
I am very disappointed. I did hope that by August we would be in a better situation with this virus. I am sure I am not the only one that is ticked off that a few is making it harder for the many.
I am annoyed and frustrated that this year has been so broken, upsetting, and just miserable for many.
My kids have lost out on many events, not only due to COVID but also due to the bushfires that were happening over summer earlier in the year.
We all need to do the right thing to get us all back on track. If we cannot do the right thing we will have months and months of lockdown and even worse restrictions than what Victoria is facing.
It is really simple… if you are sick stay at home.
If you have a positive COVID test stay at home.
Please don’t give this terrible illness to people who are doing the right thing and also older/immune comprised.
Don’t try and go to work, don’t visit other areas, don’t go shopping or visit friends and family…..JUST STAY HOME!
I get it, it is super tough.
We are struggling too, both hubby and I are working many jobs and doing whatever we can to survive.
The stress is intense and constant and one that I wish would take a break.
I really don’t understand why anyone would leave their house if they were COVID positive…. maybe these people don’t believe it is real. Maybe they are conspiracy theorists? I really don’t know but the one thing is for sure, the only thing that can stop spreading this deadly infection is if we stay at home, wear face masks, wash your hands, take hand sanitizer with you, and again if you are ill or feel sick stay home!
Are you finding it crazy that people are not self-isolating?
I do hope that everyone can do the right thing and in the next 6-8 weeks, the situation has greatly improved.
Let me know if you are annoyed with this behaviour too.
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Not having to get out of your PJ’s is even better, you can do this by putting a jacket over your best pyjamas and driving the kids to the kiss and drop so you don’t even have to get out of the car.
Restrictions are easing and things are slowly getting back to normal, but many are still working from home.
With over four months of lockdown and not being able to go anywhere, my motivation to go anywhere has been lost.
I’m happier to stay home, relax, and to work in comfort plus in the warmth of my house from the roaring heater.
Don’t get me wrong I’m drooling over a beach resort holiday so that we can all unwind and destress, maybe then mummy can finally.
I am also excited to be able to travelto places around Australia soon and eventually for international travel.
Maybe I’m a person that is really suited to lockdown? With all the services for contactless delivery, remote working, online classes, and concerts and loads more that has become available in the current COVID-19 crises. It is easier to stay home now more than ever.
Don’t get me wrong, when I’ve been out it has felt amazing, so nice to finally be doing things as we did before the global pandemic.
Are you like me and find that you would rather stay home lately?
OR MAYBE IT IS JUST STRESS AND ALL THE CHAOS FROM LOCKDOWN THAT HAS MADE ME SUPER TIRED AND IN NEED OF A REST?
It also could be the fact that I’ve gotten used to not being able to go places and therefore being home is the place to be.
Have you realised that you are preferring to stay at home? Or are you keen to race out to the big world and explore?
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Make 5 – 6 different towers or more it is up to you
Decorate your towers with animals or other LEGO items
Get a small ball and then see how many skittle towers you can knockdown
If they break, build them again and keep on playing
Enjoy and have fun playing LEGO Skittles.
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Winter is upon us and it was like it knew it and hit with a vengeance. From June the 1st we have had icy temperatures and winds and just very cold days and nights.
Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance
You would think that living in the Blue Mountains has made me love the cold and winters but that is so very wrong, I long for the summer days and the warm weather and to keep happy during this freezing time I am happier with toasty warm feet, a roaring fire and a nice warm drink to keep my super warm.
I was very pleased when UGG Expresssent me some of their new Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin’s to test out, and boy did it come at just the right time (My feet were pleased about this new addition to my wardrobe)
There are a number of bright colours to pick from and I for one normally go for black or blue, however this time I wanted to inject some colour into my world.
I was tossing up between red or purple but decided upon the purple – am more partial to blues and thought that the purple would go with my PJ’s, loungewear, and of course jeans.
When sent my request for the purple UGG Moccasin I thought it would be a bright and vibrant colour, when the shoes arrived I was eager to see the stunning colour and to try them out, however, I was relieved that they were not neon purple and a nice shade that goes with my other clothing.
Getting ready to wear my Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance
You can get pink, purple, yellow and red EVER UGG MIRACLE MOCCASIN WITH SPECIAL FLOWER FRAGRANCE
My normal shoe size is 7 and a half, and lately, it seems that no one makes a half size shoe. Due to not being able to get exact I always opt for the size 8 for my feet as I believe that this will give adequate room. I am not sure if it is just due to the moccasins being new and possibly my feet being a bit swollen but I have found them to be rather tight. However, after a while of wearing my new Purple UGG’s I have noticed that they are giving a little bit. I am not sure if I need the next size up or just to wear them more and break them in.
While wearing my new snazzy Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin‘s I have found that my feet stay so warm and it is like I am walking on a cushion of wool and air.
I live in a very cold place and lately, it is getting colder and colder by the day, and of course, my feet without shoes or socks get ice cold and therefore my whole body becomes freezing.
Doesn’t the purple colour match my jeans, I love purple what about you?
My Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin has been a savior to ensure that my whole body is not an ice block and allows me to wear comfortable shoes inside the house and look fabulous too.
The moccasins have a great grip rubber sole that means that you will never slip or fall over while wearing them…well I have been super impressed and with a four-year-old playing and tumbling I have been able to grip to the floor and make sure that my tootsies are comfortable to boot!
Keeping warm in my new purple UGG Moccasins and relaxing with a glass of wine
My new UGGMoccasins come with a subtle fragrance of lavender, I was worried at first if this would overpowering but it is just a hint of lavender and makes the shoes smell nice even after you have been wearing them for a while.
If you are looking for a gift for mum, your wife, girlfriend, or anyone then these amazingly warm and comfortable Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance would be perfect.
They are now priced at $50 and used to be $129, so that is a $79 saving.
Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin’s Will Help me Stay warm this Winter
What did I think?
A little snug at first but starts to loosen up (I would love to see what the size 9 feels like but happy with my purple shoes – make sure to measure your feet to ensure you get the best fit)
Love the bright colours
The wool inside makes it super soft and comfortable and my feet are always so warm
The bottom of the shoe has a great grip for a moccasin and since I live somewhere wet and cold this is great for the Blue Mountains.
I would recommend them to friends and family as they are stylish and keep your feet warm.
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One thing that I have missed with the lockdown restriction is eating out.
With the restrictions easing, we were lucky to experience dining at a wonderful restaurant on our wedding anniversary.
Pins at Lurline in Katoomba – Yummy food and great service
A few weeks ago we were lucky to be able to book a table at Pins on Lurline
If you have kids and wish to get your fix of some yummy fancy food, then don’t worry Pins on Lurline cater for kids too!
“At Pins believe that it is never to early to appreciate good food and we welcome well-behaved children. Our younger guests can order from our a la carte menu, we will do our best to adapt for their tastes. We reserve our earlier bookings for guests with young children.”
I know a family-friendly restaurant that can give you a stunning meal is a winner, but we did not go out with the kids and finally had an adult meal for the first time in months.
Pins on Lurline offers an intimate space for dinner
We opted for the Omnivore Tasting Menu if you are vegetarian there is a menu that you will love as well. Pins on Lurline have only two options for their menu at the moment a Tasting Menu that changes daily.
The menu works with local and fresh produce so you will always have a new and amazing food experience at Pins on Lurline.
Oh and if you are having a special celebration make sure you mention this when booking…we didn’t and only mentioned it on leaving. Executive Chef Adam Shaw will work his magic and add a special surprise for you during your dining experience.
When we entered the restaurant we were made to feel welcome and seated immediately. Due to restrictions, there were only a few tables of diners and it was a very intimate experience, so in a way perfect for an anniversary dinner.
Jody made sure we were all sorted and gave us some yummy freshly made bread and gave us our first glass of wine that will be paired with the first course (in the tasting menu we had 6 courses)
You can just have the tasting menu or have the tasting menu with the wine pairing and we did both. I must admit due to not going anywhere for months this was a fantastic treat, and a great way to break the drought on not going to any restaurants or anywhere.
So if you are interested in costs: Tasting Menu $80, and the Wine Paring is $40
Entree
Zucchini Flowers filled with Ricotta, Sundried Tomato, Fig & Preserved Lemon, with a Capsicum Cream Sauce
Wine: Veuve D’Argent, Blanc de Blanc, Burgundy
Zucchini Flowers filled with Ricotta, Sundried Tomato, Fig & Preserved Lemon, with a Capsicum Cream Sauce
Scallops served with a Lemon Gel, Radish, Spiced Mayo on an Orange & Ginger Sauce
Wine: 2017 Domaine Des Aubuisieres, Vouvray Sec, Loire Valley
Scallops served with a Lemon Gel, Radish, Spiced Mayo on an Orange & Ginger Sauce
I loved the way the scallop dish was presented. It reminded me of under the sea and coral. It was one of my favourite dishes, and very yummy!
Under the sea Scallop Plate – YUMMY
Mains
Slow-cooked black garlic & Rosemary Pork Belly, with Sweet Potato Puree, Asparagus, Gourmet Tomatoes, and Smoked Jus
Wine: 2018 Tooloagni Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria
Slow-cooked black garlic & Rosemary Pork Belly, with Sweet Potato Puree, Asparagus, Gourmet Tomatoes, and Smoked Jus
Moroccan Spiced Lamb Cutlets, served with Crumbed Haloumi, Cous Cous & Wilted Spinach
Wine: 2017 Tyrrellls Hunter Valley Shiraz, Hunter Valley
Moroccan Spiced Lamb Cutlets, served with Crumbed Haloumi, Cous Cous & Wilted Spinach
Dessert
White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Walnut & Almond Crumb, Peach Puree, Seasonal Fruit & Mango Sherbet
Wine: Yarran NV Sparkling Moscato, Riverina District, New South Wales
White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Walnut & Almond Crumb, Peach Puree, Seasonal Fruit & Mango Sherbet
Yarran NV Sparkling Moscato, Riverina District, New South Wales
You can add side dishes for an extra $9, your choices for sides are Pins House Salad, Roasted Chat Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables.
After dinner sweets. Berry coconut slice and mint chocolate balls – So yummy!
I must say after my six-course with tasty wines I was very full, I couldn’t have had sides as well. However, if you are a party of more than two people maybe a salad or some extra vegetables might be helpful.
What Did We Think?
We loved our time at Pins on Lurline from the moment we stepped inside the door. We were greeted warmly, nothing was a problem, our glasses were always topped up, any questions about the food where answered and we felt at home and comfortable.
The food was divine and was very high end. I was worried at first as the courses are smaller but with six dishes plus wines for each course you are full and there is no need to worry that you will leave hungry.
Our first journey out since lockdown was a highly successful one and it was a great place to celebrate our 16 year wedding anniversary…yes this is a long time to be married (however we’ve been together for over 20 years, just married for 16)
If you wish to go to somewhere that is impressive, has quality food and wine then Pins on Lurline is for you. Due to the restrictions on numbers, you will need to book to ensure you can get a table.
I loved my experience so much I had to share with you all and showcase a fantastic local business that is open and looking forward to seeing more people. If you are traveling or visiting the Blue Mountains make sure that you check out this amazing restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
Note: This is not a paid partnership. I live in the Blue Mountains and with the recent bushfires and now coronavirus we need to support as many local businesses to help them out.
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Today is the end of the first week of the twins being at full-time face to face lessons at school.
I must say that this week was calmer than we have had lately, the last two or so months have been rather an organised crazy chaos at my house…maybe I should take the word organised out as that sums it up more aptly.
As per my previous posts, I am not a teacher, and homeschooling is not my bag at all! (see the 60’s slang is embedding itself into my being..this is due to watching millions Scooby Doo’s – yes, the four-year-old is now obsessed with Scooby Doo!)
I think the kids have been happy to return to the classroom, finally see all their friends and the most essential item that has been obtained this week is the year six hoodie jumper…yes my year six kids have been dying to get this precious hoodie and were super happy when this Monday they were presented with their jumpers that had their names printed alongside the rest of the year six class of 2020.
I have finally been able to have some peace in my own house.
The ability to think and to do nothing or something.
To write, to watch a tv show and just have some much-needed me-time.
It has been rather nice to have some part of normalcy return to our world, even though we are still on restrictions. Places are opening up slowly and this is great, however, I urge you all to still follow social distancing, wash hands regularly, and make sure to not go to places where large groups gather.
I am worried about complacency as we have not beaten the virus, we’ve just not got it and made sure that others don’t catch it. Currently, there is no cure, although some have recovered, there have been many deaths and more around the world.
As long as we all stay vigilant and keep doing what we are all doing I am sure we will be able to open up more of the country, employ more people and have a healthier economy in the next few months.
I’m sure that many mums have breathed a sigh of relief that school is back or if not 100% where you are it is slowly happening. It really has been a struggle to work, homeschool, and do things that are needed at home while looking after all three kids! Just a disaster from my perspective.
I am glad that we have all listened to the powers that be in Australia and have stayed home, if we didn’t we would not be opening things up right now and possibly have many more months of being in lockdown. It is due to everyone doing the right thing that we are now in this position to finally go to have a meal out, get a coffee, have kids back at school, and to finally have libraries and more open next week.
One question that I have been asking the twins, “Do you have any homework to do?” They answer NO and that stage 3 doesn’t get homework! As a parent that has done two months of homeschooling, I know that they probably have work they need to do or to practice.
I think I need to ask the kids teachers if there is any work they need to be doing…. as I am not getting any answers out of my children.
Have you been relieved that your kids are finally back at school? If they are not yet back, when will they be back at full-time lessons?
I know many schools in the UK and USA are not going back in the short term and some have said that they will not be going back for the rest of the year. If you are indeed in this situation, how are you coping?
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Today is officially the last day kids in New South Wales are learning from home. The twins watched their carefully crafted morning breakfast show that the teachers create every morning, however this time it had guest hosts – two students telling us what is on the agenda for work today and that it is the last day of being at home. All children go back to face to face learning full time starting next week on the 25th of May, 2020.(Putting the date in here for historical reference)
Kids homeschooling due to COVID-19
I’m grateful that our response to the virus has been good and we have low to no infections, so that is a good sign. With restrictions easing and schools opening we are very lucky, many schools in America are set to be closed for the rest of the yearand kids are going to be learning from home for the remainder of 2020.
Insert a HUGE Happy dance and ENORMOUS SQUEALS OF DELIGHT from every parent here.
Juggling work, kids, learning from home and keeping an active four-year-old entertained has been super difficult to impossible.
We’ve had arguments, fights, tears and just defiance to do any work. Work that has been completed seems to be more of the fun stuff; art, drawing and the creative components to worksheets. Some maths and other work has been finished but with a lot of arguments and mummy explaining for the billionth time that the work needs to be done. To achieve final completion for a lot of the work I had to sit with both children and help them out, this meant that I could not do what I needed to do and arguments for who I was helping and telling the other child they need to just wait.
Geez if I had $1 for every time I tell some to wait I would a wealthy woman.
Here are my thoughts of day 1 and we are now coming up to 2 months of being at home. I did think we would be still homeschooling for the rest of term 2 and come back face to face in term 3 so this is a good thing. I just hope that there are no outbreaks of coronavirus and everyone stays healthy.
The school still has restrictions, there will be no excursions or incursions, no volunteers, no visitors, no drinking at the bubblers, no assembles and kids told that they need to wash their hands and understand if they are sick not to come to school.
My wonderful girls doing their online learning at home – They are learning about tsunamis
Day 1 of schooling from home 24th March 2020
I’m doing our bit to keep us and the community safe.
It is only day 1 of having all 3 kids at home and to put it mildly it was horrible and more like a nightmare conspiracy against mummy.
Mainly the youngest has been horrible and is acting like he is tired still. He has been hitting out, having tantrums, crying and just being awful. I have spent the majority of my day dealing with arguments, incidents, making sure the little one stays away from the bigger kids to allow them to do their schoolwork and all the fallout.
I’ve been ready for a lie-down and a G and T from about 12 pm or earlier actually. I am keen to have a nice drink later and as I am writing this the kids are having a bath, then dinner and then bed – they are going to bed and there will be no arguments…bed is happening soon for all 3. Do you hear that they really, really need to go to bed!
This said, we have done some work on Mathletics, art, and drew a pagoda from scratch. I even added to the theme of Pagodas by watching some educational videos on YouTube. Now the kids want to make their own pagodas out of clay but one kid didn’t seal the bag of the clay and therefore our supply is rock hard.
The kids have had some outdoor time on the trampoline and helping their brother search for bugs and insects.
My little boy did do some drawing and art and practised writing his name. The rest of the day he has been collecting his cars, playing and making our day interesting. Yes, interesting is a nice way to say challenging and difficult.
I’m not sure that I can handle weeks or even months of this.
I do know that schools and daycare are still open but with work drying up for us, and limited funds having a kid in childcare wasn’t helping us financially. Plus with the fact that they said that if we could have kids at home we should, our stance was if the twins were home so should our youngest as well.
How are you all faring with being at home teaching the kids? I for one am feeling exhausted and over it already and it is only day 1.
Day 66 – The Final Day of Learning at Home!
Today is the 22nd of May 2020. It is now the last day of the twins learning from home.
It has been fraught with mixed emotions. We embraced the changes and did as we were instructed by the school to help the kids continue with their studies, however dealing with two strong-willed children who don’t want to do work is exhausting. Maybe they should have just gone back to school you say, well this was my thought after day 1 but we fought the urge. It was actually hubby that fought it, I could have easily dropped off the twins at school and been happy with that decision.
I was over it all as I seemed to be the only parent making sure they were working on tasks they should be, worried about assignments due. Hubby and the kids kept on telling me they had plenty of time and then the day before it was due the assignment was done in a rush…and were accompanied by screaming, yelling and attacks at me about “Why am I not helping them do their work!”
Geez!!! If you hadn’t left it to the last minute and done a bit a day it would be done and not rushed, I kept on saying!
The teachers went above and beyond to get online content ready in Google Classroom for all the kids. It was very well done and in a short space of time. I also thought it was very easy to navigate and to find what work you are working on and then submit it to the teachers. This ease of use seemed to be lost as the kids decided to not click on all the work that was assigned and do other tasks. I then ask them what are you working on to get told nothing or something that is not school work.
I have now taken to logging on as the twins to see what school work is due and has been assigned, I print out all needed worksheets, run through the tasks with both kids and get them to work on items that are due soon. I then check on them to make sure they are doing what they should be doing and if they need any help.
We are a little behind in some work but for my own sanity, I have concentrated on reading, writing, and maths as the main areas. We have worked on some other things that have been assigned, I am hoping that next week the teachers will assist my kids to catch up if they are indeed behind.
I know I will not miss the crazy that has become our normal due to homeschooling and having all kids at home, and not to mention trying to find some magical free hours that are uninterrupted to get some work done. I’m looking forward to the girls going back to face to face lessons and for their learning to get back to normal.
It has been nice to sleep in a little, not be in a rush to get anywhere, not have to do lunches (although I still do but not packed ones), and not have to do the school drop off and pick up. This has been one of the more relaxing parts of learning from home.
I’ve told the kids that we are living through a huge event in history, a global pandemic and the last one was in 1918. The older kids understand the history and what has been happening but the four-year-old is not understanding why we have been at home, and he has only recently started back at pre-kinder.
We will look back on this time and be amazed at how we survived, adapted and stayed together to be safe and well.
Although there were many good times I have been hanging for the world to return to normal or at least somewhat normal. I live in a small house, and this means if kids and hubby are home I have no space to do things for me.
The kids have taken over the living room for their school work and when Alexander is here I need to keep him busy, it has only been this week and last that he started back at care, so today is a reprieve for me to allow me to do a few items of work, and help the twins out with any needed school work.
Doing some creative arts at home
Here is a sample day for us while kids are learning from home:
Kids and everyone gets up and have breakfast.
Drop Alexander off at care, if not at care, I look after him which means he wants to play with his sisters and his sisters decide to play with him instead of doing schoolwork.
I ask what they need to work on after they watch the Good morning show from the teachers.
They say not much or don’t respond (yes I am invisible and they don’t answer even if I am next to them) so I log on to see what assignments and work is due.
I then print out about 5-6 items that are not done or complete.
Kids work on one task, then take about million trips to the loo and to the kitchen to get a snack or drink.
Ask if the work they started is complete and the answer is either nothing or NO.
Go in to see if they need help, they have a fit at me as they can do it on their own, I then mention that they have other work to do and give them another 30mins to finish the task they have already had hours working on.
More trips to the bathroom and then the realization that it is now recess and they need to have a break. Why do they need a break when they have had one every 5 mins!
Break Again? I tell them to get back to work and finish their tasks.
They have recess and play on the trampoline for what feels like hours to then come in and do the same with other tasks they don’t complete and then more arguments and negotiations about what they are doing and when it will be finished.
What! It is lunch now??? Again they need food and of course outdoor time. No work is happening again. Finally, they are back at their desk and doing something, I sit with them to ensure that something gets done and they argue about how it is all too hard and they don’t understand.
Now they claim they need to go to the bathroom again and are incredibly thirsty and need a drink or else they might die.
Many trips back and forth to the kitchen, bathroom and then work desk, but not a lot of work is happening.
The kids are worse than cats, in and out of the house, at least I don’t have to open doors for them.
The kids now finally notice it is the end of school time so they bugger off to the garden to spend the rest of the day on the trampoline.
I’m not sure what work has been done or finished and really don’t believe any work has been done at all!
There were many failed attempts to get kids back in the house to complete schoolwork, but it was a giant relief that the house is finally quiet, mummy has a headache and needs to finally do one piece of work that she has been trying to do all day!
Mummy is over it all and wants the kids to just do their job. Why is this such a hard ask????
I have finally got my desk back as the kids like using my computer for Minecraft and some of their Google Classwork.
I have looked at many other parents social media during the last two months, and it seems many kids have really enjoyed the remote learning from the school, they got stuck in and just did the work. Pictures that were posted showed kids in the school uniform, kids looking happy and of course many boasting about how their child is loving this time and getting all their work done in record time. I was like this as a kid, without wearing the school uniform at home.
When I was younger I did correspondence for three months while I lived on a boat travelling the islands of Queensland. I got my school work done in a few days and then swam and played for the rest of the week. I was told that if I didn’t do my work I couldn’t go swimming and as a kid who lived and breathed the beach and the sea this was a deal-breaker, so I did my school work.
It saddened me that my children didn’t share this drive and idea to get things all done to allow them to do more fun things. I even signed them up to some free stem coding classes and thought that this would be great, Tynker can also help you program things for Minecraft too. See I’m working with their interest in Minecraft.
Maybe my kids just need to be at school for the routine and discipline of their teachers? Maybe being at school just helps get them into the right mindset?
Working hard at their schoolwork – I had to coax a smile out of one of them, the other one decided she didn’t want to cooperate
As I write this the girls are quietly working away on their classwork, there are still many outstanding tasks but my aim today is to see if we can finish everything that is due. Or at least come close.
Maybe it has taken us two months to just get into the swing of things….although the kids have decided they had to have an early lunch, maybe this will mean that they will do more without another lunch break?
One thing that the kids have done more of is to help around the house and to do more cooking. They have cooked us all dinner a few nights a week and have refined their cake baking skills. Have you been baking more? I think it is a natural consequence of being at home more especially when cafes and restaurants were closed.
It is also the last day of being together at home so I want to take them out for a hot chocolate or something to celebrate and to mark the occasion.
You know how I said they were quietly working away, well that is no more after all of me showing everyone what to do and where the work was people are claiming they don’t know what to do and where the work is!
Geeez… another day spent supervising kids with their school work, I’m just grateful this is the last day of this struggle here.
How have you found the time at home with the kids? Did they enjoy learning from home or did they struggle?
My girls have said that they prefer school to learning from home, so it is going to be nice for them to go back to where they are better suited. I was a bit worried that they might prefer elements of working from home and it could be a hard transition back. However, with the twins saying they don’t really like remote learning I think the transition will be okay and nothing to be worried about.
Also, mummy and daddy are super keen for the house to be peaceful and for us to have our time again.
What are you looking forward to when school goes back full-time next week?
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Tomorrow is my birthday. Today is my last day of being 46. I don’t feel 46, and I do wish I wasn’t but the only other fix for that is to not be here at all and I want to live, so being 46 and older is the way it has to go.
This looks yummy as a treat for my birthday, what do you think?
I have been thinking for a while about the year I’ve had so far, what I’ve accomplished, and also what was on my wish list.
For many 2020 has been a challenge, mainly from a financial perspective. We had a rough year last year and hoped that this year would allow us to rebuild and to get back on track, however other forces had different ideas about our plans.
Which has been really horrible and I’ve had moments that I have just sat on the floor and cried and cried about being put in a situation that is out of my control and one that I cannot fix and seems like whatever you do, you cannot help yourself out of it…Yes at times it has really felt like a hopeless situation.
Firstly our community was trying to recover from the horrible bush fires, then wild storms and floods, and now a global viral pandemic of COVID-19 that has caused economies worldwide to crash, unemployment to skyrocket and lockdowns to be put in place to stop the spread of this horrible illness.
We have been at home for over two months now and currently, Australia is slowly reducing the restrictions we have been living with for months. Starting next Monday the 25th of May all children in New South Wales go back to face to face lessons. We have had the kids learning from home and it has only been this week the 18th of May and last week on the 11th of May that the girls went to school one day a week, my girl’s day was Monday.
It has been hard to not have your own space.
It has been difficult to not be able to do your own thing and to be helping everyone and have no time for you.
It also has been a very stressful and worrying time. Employment websites have been advertising copious amounts of jobs but they are not employing anyone… or it could be that they are getting so many applications that it appears like no one is getting anywhere at all.
I did tell you that 2019 wasn’t great either. One thing that happened was hubby had a car accident which meant we had to get a brand new car. This was an expense we were saving for but hadn’t planned to do it at the time in which the accident happened. Then hubby’s contract for work came to an end in November last year, and it is hard to find a job that close to Christmas, then, of course, the bushfires and storms.
We thought not to worry we will be right come 2020, we will both look for work and get amazing jobs and work super hard to get us back where we want to be this year.
This is where the universe was laughing at us but told us nothing at the time. A little heads up would have been good, but knowing what I now know I think it wouldn’t have mattered if we were told in advance.
COVID-19 then happened and this meant no one was hiring, our savings was nearly empty and we were worried and panicking about how we would survive.
While hubby was looking for a new contract he was doing some Ubering… yes due to having a new car he could be an Uber driver. This helped a little but due to the tough restrictions put in place due to COVID this work has dried up too.
He has done odd jobs, mowing, and more to keep money coming in. I have been writing articles and doing a few hours a week as a social media marketer and keeping the blog running. Plus not to mention having 3 kids home full time until recently, our youngest started back at care last week since his big sisters are going back to school.
Like many people, we have had to put payments on hold, and many other things. I am not looking forward to paying it all back but grateful we have had assistance to help us at this horrible time.
I have been applying for any job that I can do and putting my hand up for more work, and of course, staying up late to get things done due to never getting time alone to complete any task. Perils of being a mum with no time alone!
So with my birthday soon to be here it has made me think…. what do I want, what do I want to achieve and how can I get there?
It has also made me appreciate life, being well and safe with family. I have valued seeing my kids grow and learn at home, and have some quality time. No racing off to be somewhere has also been a nice luxury during isolating at home and one that I will miss.
Although this time with family has been very stressful for a multitude of reasons it has made me grateful that we have all stayed well and we all have a roof over our heads.
During this time it has made me think of my friends that I wish were still here. One dear friend died five years ago and my other bestie left us two years ago this year. I miss them so much, I do wish they were still here to talk to and in fact, I still chat to them sometimes. My friends were only a year older than I was, so not that old when they left everyone and losing people young is hard (well they were in their forties but I consider this young).
I did think that if my friends were still here they might have got ill with Covid-19 and this wouldn’t have been good. They had a comprised immune system and would have had to be in isolation but still attend doctors appointments and hospitals….so, therefore, might have had a good chance of contracting the virus, I do want them back so badly but during this crazy time with an illness that threatens you, I am glad they were not here to experience it at all.
Due to losing my mates, I have been more diligent about my health. I am a mother to three young children and I am very aware that I need to be here to provide for my family in the years to come.
I know this is meant to be a post about my birthday and my thoughts… it really doesn’t feel much like my birthday, maybe it is just the current climate that has made this so.
Birthday balloons – I love purples and blues
We still cannot go out to dinner as a family, nearly all the cafes and restaurants are still closed and only doing takeaways. If we did go somewhere there is nowhere to sit and to just be other than a park. It is getting very cold here in the mountains and I really don’t want to be outside in the freezing weather, this for me is not that enjoyable, actually if we all were hundled in a park and it was super cold for me it would be a horrible day. So eating food in the cold on my birthday is not going to happen.
We cannot go to the movies, however, I would love to do some DIY and clothes shopping but the lack of money at the moment is the issue. Maybe I can figure out the costs and do a little bit to put a smile on my face when kids are finally at school.
Being in isolation has made me re-evaluate some work I’ve been planning, think of new ideas, and make plans for this year.
The one big thing I really want to do is to travel. I want to take the kids overseas to visit America, Disneyland, Japan, Osaka, plus Harry Potter World, Fiji, Singapore, New Zealand, Spain, and Canada. I know that international travel is probably not happening any time soon and some places are still not doing well due to the pandemic. I still want to go but only when it is safe to do so.
Maybe domestic travel will have to do once the borders to the states are all opened. I’m sure a nice family getaway on a Queensland Island Resort would just be perfect right now.
So back to my birthday wishes and plans for my 47th year on this earth.
I would like to be able to have more time to do things I like to do, time out, and help around the house.
Time to plan my empire to hopefully buy my dream house at the beach – yes purchased all with cash from the sales from my amazing work and adventures.
And not to mention being left to sleep in and not woken at odd hours in the night and early morning – maybe this could be someone else’s job for a while.
Slowly it is feeling like our world in Australia might be getting back to normal or maybe a new normal and this is something that I am looking forward to. A chance to build us all up again, save some money, pay off bills, and maybe take the family on a much needed holiday. We all desperately need to go somewhere to just relax, be somewhere to just be, and to be looked after. Hopefully, soon I can make this a reality.
Due to my birthday falling in the period of time that many places are still closed our celebrations will be at home. The twins are planning on creating a birthday cake for me and I have explained that I am not cooking dinner tomorrow so this needs to be sorted also.
I’m keen to enjoy the love and cuddles tomorrow and to eat the surprise birthday cake that the kids are planning. Plus unwrap any birthday presents that I have to open.
Birthday Cupcakes – Yummy don’t they look tasty!
My mum gave me some money to put towards a new haircut which I have been desperate to have. Late last year I was wanting to get a new do at the hairdresser’s but decided to wait as I thought we needed the money, then disaster hit in the new year and hairdressers were closed and then I still had no money. I should have just spent the cash last year and had it done. Now to find a brilliant place to get pampered and get a new look to make me feel fabulous.
In all honesty, the one present that would have made me super happy was for my shed/office to be finally completed.
Yes, dear readers, it has now been over 3 years waiting for this DIY project to be finished and it is still not done!
The aim of this space is to use it for an office and craft room for me and the blog. I want to bring my sewing machine, materials, craft supplies, and more out there so that I can set up projects and leave them and come back later. Currently, projects don’t happen due to not having any space and needing to pack things up due to kids. It is annoying and not practical to work like this.
Other plans for the shed is to create my own podcast, have it as a quiet spot to write and to plan, and a spot to finally hang some of my art. Basically a She Shed.
I think when I have a little bit more cash I will hire someone to just finish it off…then it will be done and I can do more work, have a happier workspace, and finally not have to ask someone to do it.
What have you wanted for your birthday?
Has it changed this year due to being in isolation?
Have you spent some time re-evaluating what you want this year?
P.S. I think hubby and I have done pretty well to be surviving so far, and crossing fingers and toes we will not just be surviving but enjoying the fruits of our hard work soon. We have struggled both to create incomes to provide for the kids and ourselves and are solidering on each day. I am sure everyone is in a similar situation and our story is not unique. I salute all of you for struggling in this hard time and I hope that it all comes to an end soon and things are easier for all.
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It is good to see that restrictions are slowly being lifted.
The twins did a full day at school today. Both kids finally had face to face lessons for the first time in about six weeks.
Admittedly it doesn’t feel like it has been a few months it feels like much longer.
As Robbie Buck on ABC 702 Radio, this morning said, “Parents normally come back from a six week holiday and manage to pack lunches and get sorted for school, however, this six week period feels like twelve years!”
Yes, Robbie, I agree it really does feel longer than a few short months, and 12 years is about right!
This Friday it is expected that there will be more restrictions lifted, from Friday they say we can have a gathering of ten people and also with ten people can go to a cafe or restaurant together.
One thing that I have thought about. All this time not going out and then finally able to go to the cafe, finally be with more than two people. Be in the outdoors with no one moving you on, be at a park, and be legally allowed to be there.
Taking the kids to school felt weird today and picking them up even more so. We didn’t go into the school and dropped them at the kiss and drop place outside the school, and when I picked them up I stayed outside and practiced social distancing like we were told to do. Yes, many parents were there but 1.5mtres apart, it wasn’t very sociable but it is a great start.
Even though we were supposed to be there, I felt naughty.
I am sure when I finally get the chance to be in a pub or a cafe I will still feel the same.
I will be sipping a cappuccino and relaxing and then someone leans over and says I am not allowed to be doing what I am doing. Yes, the fear of doing the wrong thing is going to happen. It has been a while and I haven’t been to a cafe for a meal since February or early March…see it has been too long I cannot remember exactly.
“You are naughty and cannot do that!”
For the last few weeks I have seen more people and traffic on the roads, and what looks like tourists but I cannot be sure if I am correct that they are tourists….although it looked like they were.
On picking up the twins from school I saw two tourists in the middle of the street taking pictures of the stunning leaves and trees with the autumn colours. This happens regularly and many tourists block people picking up kids and others in their houses when they try and leave. Interesting that the area is bringing in more people now with a few restrictions that have already been lifted.
I just hope that these people are not infectious or haven’t come into contact with something that is and gives our area a spike in infections.
I really want this to end and to enjoy the outside world again.
I really want to have our lives go back to normal or the new normal post-COVID-19.
To have the ability to earn, to travel, and to live again with my family.
Have you noticed things are changing around your area? Have you seen more people and traffic?
Are you like me and will be feeling that you are being naughty when you are able to go to a cafe?
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is even better, you can do this by putting a jacket over your best pyjamas and driving the kids to the kiss and drop so you don’t even have to get out of the car.
