Tag: relaxing

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Family

Knee Beards and Other Stuff

You might be questioning my title. Knee Beards??? What the? You say.

Yes knee beards are a thing (You heard the term here first….I feel like now I should copyright it) and it got to a very hairy problem months after Alexander was born. I was still sporting some knee beards. Although I must say my legs are very nice (So I have been told) but having knee beards does not make them look very attractive.

If you don’t know what a knee beard is it is all the hair that grows around your knee region, if you don’t shave for a while it grows longer and maybe with pregnancy hormones this makes things even more longer and weird. Okay, you get the picture now.

A dramatic recreation of the knee beard. Yes it might be a little worse than it actually was but it felt like it looked this bad.
A dramatic recreation of the knee beard. Yes it might be a little worse than it actually was but it felt like it looked this bad.

I finally took matters into my own hands and removed my knee beards but it took me two months of living with them to finally remove them. Why did it take me so long? Well as a new mum to a new baby, finding time for self care is hard. This is even harder when you have other children to care for as well. I cannot just swan in and have a bath and shave my legs. Nope. Sitting or lying in a bath to relax is difficult to impossible. My twins will then want to join me and therefore ruining the peaceful and relaxing state that I was attempting to create.

It was not just knee beards that needed my attention. Some of the other things that normally get waxed have been forgotten about or just left as it is in the too hard basket. My aim is to book time at the beauticians on a weekend this way hubby can mind kids and I can get some things done. After I have had some much needed beauty therapy I can then tackle the pool again in the aim to tone up and lose some of the baby weight.

My hair also needs some attention. I have noticed that it is rather dry and rough on the ends. This is probably not helping the fact that I am loosing hair when I brush or even when I shower. Yes hand fulls are coming out. Maybe this is due to hormones after having a baby? I hope so as I’m getting worried that I might soon be bald.  So basically knee beards are the least of my worries really.

My out of control hair. Desperate to go to the hairdressers.
My out of control hair. Desperate to go to the hairdressers.

I think that I just need to have my hair cut and tidied, and I know it might not be good but a nice colour to jazz up my look might be in order. It would make me feel good and also much more glamorous. As a stay at home mum to three kids now feeling more glam is always a good thing.

Do you get time for a little bit of self care? A mani, or pedi?

Maybe a trip to the pool or the gym? Have you been to the hairdressers lately?

I am so keen to get my hair done I have thought about doing it with the baby with me. However I have stopped myself, I don’t want to be dealing with a crying baby while trying to relax.

This time will just be for me. My time to do something for myself.

Let us know how you fit it all in with everyone’s busy schedules.

Categories
Wednesday Wisdom

Creating My Own Sunshine

I have had about 3 or more weeks fighting a bad cold, to then get very bad hay fever. I am over the feeling unwell and sneezing and I do feel zapped of energy and motivation. However in my messy house currently I am hoping to do some things for me. Due to being unwell, I have felt rather down and depressed. Silly but not unreasonable given the circumstances.

I am hoping to create some of my own sunshine to allow me to shine and feel good and happy. A bit of me time for my projects will allow this. Now to go and clean the dining room table to get stuck into my project. Image found on Pinterest.
I am hoping to create some of my own sunshine to allow me to shine and feel good and happy. A bit of me time for my projects will allow this. Now to go and clean the dining room table to get stuck into my project. Image found on Pinterest.

I am hoping to get some sewing done to cheer me up. I am planning on doing some skirts for the girls, a skirt for me and pajama pants for myself as well.  (yes something for myself). However this project for me and of course the kids has not happened due to trying to get some housework done. By the time I whiz about and do the odd jobs I never get time for my things. Do you find this happens? I especially need a pick me up now due to being a bit out of sorts.

Don’t worry I am on the mend and hope all is getting better, however I am still sniffling due to hay fever I think and hope the cold is well and truly gone!

It is not grey hair, it is sparkles in your hair.
It is not grey hair, it is sparkles in your hair.

The other day Julia was looking at my hair. She must have spied a grey hair. I don’t have many and only about two, but loved what Julia called them. She said that they were sparkles in my hair. I would rather have sparkles than grey hair and thought that this is a nicer way of describing grey hair. So all of you that have grey hair, you have sparkles in your hair.

This made me smile and of course is another lovely thought to add to the sunshine in my day. It has also reminded me it is time to dye my hair again due to more sparkles appearing. Yes I would like to avoid sparkles for a bit longer if I can.

Stop worrying about your stresses and focus on your blessings.
Stop worrying about your stresses and focus on your blessings.

Lately I have been thinking about the troubles and stresses in my life and not looking at all that is good. I am very blessed and lucky for what I have. I need to stop worrying and just be. Do you do this as well? I know I DO!

What do you do to let more sunshine into your day? Do you meditate, relax, have a chat with mates, have some quiet time, sit in the garden, have flowers to look at, or do a bit of your favourite hobby? Maybe reading a good book is just what the doctor ordered?

Let us know what you do and maybe others will be inspired as well. Send in your comments.

Categories
Things to do

First Time Glamping

I have treated the family to an overnight getaway. I am so excited and for a while it was a mystery to hubby where we were going. However this did not last long as I needed to tell him due to logistics and how we got to our destination.

Where are we off to you ask?

We are going to be glamping on Cockatoo Island this October Long Weekend.  We are off this Sunday and back home on the holiday Monday. The twins have no idea where we are going and they will be so excited to find out that are staying on an island in a tent in Sydney Harbour! Cannot wait to see the kids faces.

The tents on Cockatoo Island
The tents on Cockatoo Island

Why Glamping?

I have been camping and know that you need to bring quite a bit of stuff with you. With two adults and two kids the things to pack would be extreme. It is just for one night and I wanted to make things easy on us. Especially me and hubby.

The tents are provided as well as the beds, linen, towels, pillows and a couple extra things. This cuts down on what we have to pack. Ideal really for a short getaway.

Why Cockatoo Island?

I wanted to go away but by the time you factored into plane fares, rental car and of course hotel stay it adds up for just a weekend away. Thousands of dollars for say a two day getaway. Nope not interested in spending that much. Cockatoo Island was reasonable in costs and the best thing is that we can drive to the city, park the car and get onto a ferry and be there easily. No extra payments for hire car, or flights. It is a holiday somewhere we have never been. It will be like we have travelled but we are still in the same city.

Cockatoo Island was cheap considering it has wonderful views and has a lot on offer, I wish I could have booked another night time did not let me (I wanted to do it on the long weekend and could only get Sunday night so that is great and happy with that. Was aiming for Saturday but that was full). There are tours that you can do yourself or have a guide, play tennis or just relax. There are also plenty for the kids to do. Check out the video below:

 

Cockatoo Island also offers great education programs for kids. Below is the video for Primary children but they also have a program for secondary students. This looks amazing and what a great place to make history and facts come to life. I cannot wait to experience it and share it with the kids.

More images and stories to come soon about our weekend away.

Have you been glamping? Did you glamp on Cockatoo Island? Was it for a night or longer? Let us know how it went. The school holidays are nearly over and we have had a jam packed two weeks. This is a perfect way to end the holidays and relax with the family before school resumes.

How were the holidays for you? Hope you are relaxed and have managed okay.

Categories
4 years and beyond

Wednesday is Friday

The twins go to pre-school three days a week and Wednesday is their last day. So I have it in my head that Wednesday feels like Friday. I don’t need to make lunches for the next day, we don’t have to be anywhere really on Thursday so my brain has decided it is Friday, although it is not in reality. Do you do this? Or is it just my crazy brain doing weird and wonderful things?

I am realising that Wednesday as Friday cannot continue as the twins go to school next year so Friday will be returned to its original state as the official rest night and then Saturday is the day we can fall in a heap. Unless we are crazy enough to organise sport or some other activity on this sacred day of doing nothing! Or at the very least family time and our own adventures.

Since I have this idea that Wednesday is Friday it sometimes does not occur to me immediately that hubby will have to go to work or has to get up early. I then remind myself it is just me and it is an actual work day and the rest of the world knows it is Thursday not a weekend. Strange I know!

Has this ever caught you out? Maybe it is due to having too much on the brain at one time? Merging days here and there sometimes happens even if you don’t have kids; being busy can make days feel like others and a week feel longer or shorter than in reality it really was.

I know next year will be a rude shock with five days of sending kids off to school, however that said I will be grateful for the extra time to get things done for the house and for me. What days do you mix up? Have you had those moments when a Wednesday feels like Friday? What day is your Friday? Send in your comments.

Categories
4 years and beyond

Happy Australia Day 2013

Australian Flag
Australian Flag from – http://freeaussiestock.com

Hi all, it is Australia Day tomorrow and we are all off to have a BBQ with our good mates. Yes very Australian, it will be very nice to sit and have a drink, a bite to eat and to hopefully relax. The kids cannot wait to ride their scooters and bikes and just have some fun. What are you doing this Australia Day? Are you having a quiet one? Or are you having time with family and friends? Maybe you have decided to go away for the long weekend.

With university done I am very happy to be able to sit and to not think of anything now but the weekend. Oh the joys. What are you going to enjoy this long weekend? I am sure not being at work would be one of them.

Remember to be safe driving and on the roads everyone. This long weekend there are double demerit points again, see your state for more info.

Have fun and stay safe everyone.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Melbourne Bound

Got up at 6am, had breakfast, watched part of my show, had a shower, actually put on makeup, packed the final things for my bag. As soon as I was about to sit down to have a coffee (and actually watch the rest of my show – now we are watching Sesame Street) Lillian woke up, then Julia. Oh well at least I have all the other things organised. How good does it feel to be ready and not running around!

Now the reason for my early rise and bag packing is I am off to Melbourne for the night, I know very glam and fun! I cannot wait. We were lucky to get part of the flight on frequent flyer points and the rest was a cheap ticket, thank god for airlines lowering costs. It has worked well for us.

My day off and night is going to be wonderful. I just love going to the airport and it will be even better as I will be able to go off and do my own thing, the many things I am looking forward to today are: reading my notes for university (I know boring but an essential thing to do as quiz is next Monday), looking at shops without kids touching everything, have a drink or some food without having to rush or get something other little people might like but never eat.

Dinner tonight is the one event that I am really looking forward to but also being on a plane is a highlight for me, sounds silly but I find it exciting. Do you love flying? Have you managed to get away for even a day or a weekend?

One thing that is a bit sad is that it is only for a short time, but even though a short trip it is a nice, much needed break. Thank god for my lovely mother who is going to mind the twins while I am away, without her I would not be able to do this, just good timing all round.

Are you planning a short trip without the kids? How excited are you about it? I am super excited, I know it is funny but I find I cannot wipe the grin off my face. It might not be a grin on my face when I say goodbye to the kids at the station but will try and be strong, it is only a night away. I will see them tomorrow. Send in your comments.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Headache go away

Today was the day kids were at school and I wanted to get heaps done. I wish my body would have been up to speed with my plan, have had a nasty headache all day. Have taken pills but to no avail. While at home, I managed to tidy up the lounge room, kids room and our room. Did a couple of loads of laundry and changed our sheets. Girls sheets were done yesterday or Saturday, feels so far away now, but they were done on the weekend at some point.

I thought about going for a sleep, however I am that tired that I thought I would sleep through pick up for the girls, so did not do that. I watched some of my shows and then finished some things off and had to pick the girls up. Since getting the girls from school it has made my head ten times worse. The girls are little trouble makers. Running out to get in the paddle pool, taking off and not coming when called, not eating all their food, playing and not having dinner, ignoring me, being violent to each other, hitting, biting, and just plain terrible. Both girls are finally in their bedroom playing waiting for daddy to come home to say hello before we have dinner.

I did plan to have more done so that I can maximise my time tomorrow. I think I will hope that I feel better tomorrow and get stuck into something I want to do. Even as I speak the girls are screaming, crying and yelling at each other. I fear that they are over tired and they are just going to be terrible before they finally pass out. I did go in and see who was hurt due to high pitched screaming before, Lillian was bitten by Julia due to Julia not getting her way at the tea party. OHHhhhhhhh gosh, I am so over this. I just want to have dinner and go to bed.

Thinking about dinner, I feel that I should go and get dinner made, eat it, and go off to bed. Maybe an early night will help things.  I will put James’ dinner in the microwave.

Hope your day was better than mine.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School University Study

My time to relax

After the girls were dropped off to pre-school, I headed off to return books to the library and check the mail, now the errands have been done it is me time.

I had some lunch, relaxed while watching a show by not being interpreted by the girls, very relaxing I must say. I am getting very obsessed with the new show “Revenge“, it is very interesting. Every character seems to have their own agenda for revenge or something sinister. Then I focused on creating a pattern for new pants out of Lillian’s favourite pajama pants. I have made them a bit bigger and going to add pockets. I am going to make them look unique so keen to start sewing. I am hoping that my new pattern will be good. I am starting off with just 2 pairs of pants to make sure my idea works, then if all good, I will make more. Pictures to come when I have a completed project.

It was very nice to be home alone without any pressure, any demands and to just be. I sat in the quiet for a while. I did do some washing, but there is still lots more to do. However that can be done tomorrow, as there is no urgency on anything currently, and as the weather is terrible for drying I don’t want to have baskets of wet washing to dry.

University semester starts on the 5th of March so I have spent some time checking the university student site. I have done my introduction via the online forum and have looked at other student and staff introductions. I am keen and also a bit concerned about this semester as the unit sounds hard and complicated. I am enrolled in Project Process Planning and Control, so I think it is going to be heavy on theories and data. However, after this subject I only have 2 more to do, so have to get through this one o.k, to continue on. One side of me that is keen to start study as it gives my brain an outlet other than being a mummy, but the other is concerned about the subject and what this semester involves. I am on the countdown to finishing so that is exciting but still feels so far away.

After looking at the uni course I had another “Revenge” to watch as it is so addictive. Then off to pick the girls up from school. They had a great day. Still they could not tell me what they did, however I figured out that they painted, and went out to play until it rained again, and played with puzzles. This week they have been very clingy when I drop them off, they don’t want me to leave. I just hope it gets better as today Julia wanted me to pick her up and cuddle her around the school. I know that is nice, however I am trying to make my exit not to stay there.

It was very nice to have this time to myself. I am hoping that tomorrow I will make time to start sewing the girls new pants. The test batch. I am sure it will work, just need to make sure that the sizes for the girls are correct. I have measured and will add the new measurements into the pants project.

Hope that you all had time to have some me time. What did you get up to?  It was nicer weather, but still rainy so not much you can do in this weather.  What was it like where you are?

Categories
3 years and beyond Feeling Frumpy

Time off – well just for a bit

I had an appointment for my second microderm and oxygen facial, it went better than last time so that is a plus. The other plus was that I was on my own, so a day to myself, shopping, having lunch, looking at window shopping and able to do whatever I wanted. It was so nice to have this time to myself.

After the facial I popped off to The Good Guys and purchased a juicer. We are now going to give a juice fast a go, I know sounds crazy but it worked for Joe Cross the guy who created the film: Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. Joe was overweight and suffered from an autoimmune disease and thought that eating vegetables and fruit juiced is the way to go. Joe managed to lose the weight and during the weeks of the fast lowered his drugs for his disease he was taking. By the end of the fast he managed to keep off the weight and not be on any drugs for his condition. It was a very positive film and inspirational. Check IMDB for more info on this film. James and I think that it might help us and who knows, at least having fresh healthy juice has to be a bonus. So we will see.  Cannot start the fast yet as we are booked in for a Valentines dinner, so that will have to happen first.

Now having the juicer in my hot little hands, I headed to the shopping centre to see if I could visit with Auntie Denise, no luck there, it was her day off yet again. Oh well, then I went off to have lunch and to relax for a bit. After lunch I went off to Sussan’s as I had a gift voucher from Christmas and managed to purchase a really nice skirt. Who knew stripes could be so flattering. Managed to see a cheap skirt also in Target and it is more for the cooler weather so just the thing for Katoomba. One thing that I thought was interesting to see in Target was that Dita Von Teese is selling lingere there as well, she has her own label. Interesting. Pity that it all looked small and not for sizes like me. I am a little busty than normal and it is very sad that the sexy feel good underwear is never available in my size. It would be nice if for once these type of things were easily accessible,  in my size, and reasonably priced. Oh well, maybe after the diet and some more exercise I might be skinnier. 🙂

It was nice to have some me time and wish there was more of it.  Only a couple of sleeps until the girls start school, so that is exciting and good for them and me. Now still need to find that battery charger for the camera. Still have had no luck. Might have to take pictures on the camera after all. So project find camera battery tomorrow or think of what to do about it.

Update: After I got home with all my shopping and especially the new juicer. James could not wait and opened and cleaned the bits that you need to. Then he did a test juice. Nice fresh orange juice. YUM!!! It is so quiet compared to others from years ago. Very impressed. Now need to get recipes and vegetables and more fruits to help make our juices.