Keep Cate Busy

Week 9/52 - irony at it's best

2012-03-04T16:48:00.002+11:00

Over on June's blog we tried out the name we had as the working title for our book.

Now I love irony as much as the next person so I'm going to catch you up on the basics.

Firstly, the premise behind our book is to help prevent misunderstandings between people with eating disorders and their loved ones - misunderstandings which, given the nature of the disease, can have dire consequences. So it's a book about misunderstanding words.
Next, June and I were playing with the title "twistED" - ED as in eating disorder - so it was a title implying that the eating disorder was twisting the words around to make them mean something completely different to those that had been intended.

Enter the irony.

Unfortunately it would seem our book about preventing misunderstandings had a title that caused a misunderstanding.

And thankfully those who felt this misunderstanding spoke up and let us know!! They quite validly felt that the title implied that they, or their loved one was twisted for thinking these thought.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Bear in mind June and I are including our own stories in this book - so we would never intentionally hurt, insult or alienate people with eating disorders. But we are so grateful to have been able to fix this up so early on in the piece...

Which brings me now to the unveiling of our new working title (drum roll please):

So tell me dear reader what do you think of ED says U said ? Better? Less chance for ironic misunderstandings?! I hope so!! xxx

PS: Pleeeeease grab my new button and display it loud and proud on your sidebar!! Let's make sure as many people as possible get to contribute their stories and help raise awareness and understanding of eating disorders. Free hugs to all who do so (only redeemable at DPCON12)

Week 8/52 - I have a book contract

2012-02-24T23:40:00.010+11:00

trying my hand at: being an author

sparkly book pic from here

Yes, it's true, I have a book contract, yay me :-)

But this post isn't actually about me - that was just a rouse to get you, my lovely reader, to open this post. Because in fact, this post, and the book, is about YOU!!

My dear friend, and fellow eating disorder survivor, June Alexander and I are writing a book to translate the language of eating disorders. You know, like those English-French French-English dictionaries we all had at school? Only in this case we are translating your language into anorexia.

Wha???

Let's start with hands up if you know someone with an eating disorder (or who you suspects has an eating disorder) - or if you have an eating disorder?? Okay, so about 99% of you just put your hand up (the other 1% btw is probably mistaken).

Now, for those of you who know someone, have you ever said something that has been wildly mistinterpreted? Something you have no idea why it was so bad? Something like "Wow you look great" and found it met with a scowl?

Yes? Well this book will give you the answer to that.

What about "Have you lost weight?" Only to be answered with a snarling abusive "Did my mother tell you to say that?"*

Yes? Well this book will tell you why that one didn't turn out the way you planned either.

What about those of you who have an eating disorder? Has anyone ever said anything to you that has hurt you so much but you just can't explain to them why? Then this book should be your xmas present to them.

But hang on Cate, you said this post was about me?

And right you are, because June and I need your help. Sure we could fill this book twice over from just our own experiences, but we would rather fill it with YOURS. So think hard people. Think about those times you've said something wrong and have no idea why it was wrong, and email it to us. And think about those times someone has said something to you that you can see wasn't meant to hurt you, and send those to us too. (Note: all contributions will be anonymous - so don't feel worried about your privacy)

We want your experiences so that we can translate the language of Eating Disorders for all the family and friends of those that suffer.

Over to you now. Thinking caps on. Then follow this link over to June's blog for more info and the email address of where to send your thoughts. Please contribute. This is a fantastic chance to really help the wider community understand what goes on in the mind of someone affected by an Eating Disorder.

Because Eating Disorders suck. They really really do :(

*this was one of mine, btw, circa 1990! I vividly remember a friend of mine asking me that and I bit her head off. She looked so horrified :(

and thank you so much to the following bloggers for helping to spread the word:
Laura's Soap Box: Contribute to an Upcoming Book!
Clearing Some Space: TwistED - Your Chance to Contribute
Recovery, PJ Style: Ever feel like no-one understands *you*?
Planning with Kids: Opportunities to Support and Contribute to Help other Mums
Under the Windmills: Reflections of Anorexia
and a huge THANK YOU to Brenda Gaddi from Digital Parents for helping to spread the word too xxx

and don't forget to grab yourself a button on my side bar!!! Thank you :-)

Week 4/52 - my four agreements

2012-01-25T21:47:00.000+11:00

trying my hand at: deep and meaningful blogging...

four leaf clover from here

I have been reading a fab book recently called "The Four Agreements" (don Miguel Ruiz).

"Everything we do is based on agreements we have made - agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves. In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible. One single agreement is not such a problem, but we have many agreements that come from fear, deplete our energy, and diminish our self-worth." Quote from here

So what's all this introspective stuff got to do with a mum, blogger, and twitter addict?

Good question, Cate, I'm so glad you asked. Here's how it's going to look in my life:

1. Be impeccable with your word
For me this is going to mean think before you speak. Only speak words which are constructive - to both myself and others. I will not use my words to put down or belittle others. I will use my words to encourage and empower myself and others. Now I'm not promising I won't slip up on this one on twitter occasionally, especially when politicians are involved (Tony Abbott, I'm looking at you!!).

2. Don't take anything personally
This one is going to be super hard - I'm pretty sure I'm the centre of every one's universe you see. So acknowledging that nothing anyone does or says has anything to do with me...well, I won't lie, it's going to be tricky. But that's the heart of this agreement. Everything anyone says is to do with them, and the agreements they have made with themselves - their words are simply a reflection of their values, as much as mine are a reflection of my values.

3. Don't make assumptions
Crikey, another hard one - love to jump to a good conclusion!! And I'm bad at asking questions. I'm often worried that I don't have the right to take up some one's time with my ignorant questions, but I'm going to try to assert my rights a bit more in this department in order to clarify and make sure I truly understood the meaning and sentiment behind the words of others.

4. Always do your best
And no - this has nothing to do with dishes, washing or any of that other crap. For me, first and foremost, this will mean concentrating on my reactions to my children. On treating them with respect, being present and attentive, and speaking to them quietly and patiently. Secondly but of equal importance is on treating myself with respect and patience. Doing my best will not equate to being perfect. Some days doing my best will mean getting everything right - other days it will mean lying on the couch and being left alone. Being honest with myself will be the only guide I have for this agreement.

I feel I have done my best today. I am satisfied with today. The dishes have not been done, but I did play 'row row row your boat' eleventy thousand times.
It was a good day xxx

Week 4/52 - who says I'm too old for the hamster wheel??

2012-01-22T23:55:00.000+11:00

another dose of: mummy blogging

Dragged my hot and lethargic carcass off the couch this afternoon and decided to get jump-started by taking the kiddos to our local carnival.

Now I did have in mind tackling the trapeze that has appeared this year - but sadly it finished at 6pm and it took me longer than that to get butt-in-car...

so the kiddos and I decided on the next most crazy looking thing - the giant inflatable hamster wheels!!.

Sign said: 4 tickets for 5 mins. Max weight 80kg (NO adults)

No Adults, what the...

Now for anyone out there who thinks I'm a pushover, I might be crap at a standup fight, but I do cutesy better than most. Poor sweet man on the stall didn't stand a chance. Needless to say I got my way and had a turn!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

It was awesome!! Exhausting and hilarious - and just as well that it was only my own kiddos I was ramming :-) Definitely better than the couch xxx

Week 3/52 - Hugo Movie Review

2012-01-15T11:46:00.001+11:00

Trying my hand at: movie review blogging...

At a glance:
Movie: Hugo (PG)
Cate's Rating: 4.5 stars
Recommended ages: thoughtful kids over about the age of 7 all the way up to adults!

I went along to Hugo not knowing anything about it, other than it was rated PG and was Martin Scorsese's first attempt at a movie for all ages.

So when it started a little slowly (not for me, but for the children I had with me) I was a little nervous that it was going to be one of those days where the kids ran all over the cinema in the dark and popcorn fights ensued.

So colour me shocked when no one moved.

Monkey did confess later that she didn't think it was going to be an interesting movie, but enough intrigue had been set up to keep even their little attention spans hooked...

Hugo is an orphaned boy who secretly lives in a train station - so already the children were captivated by the idea of Hugo crawling around in the station's various hidden tunnels unseen by the Station Inspector (beautifully played by Sacha Baron-Cohen). But Hugo's life is turned upside down when he is caught stealing from the station's toy stall by it's owner, played by the incomparable Ben Kingsley (insert movie-buff swoon here!!).

And once stall-owner's god daughter gets involved in the adventure, the story really takes off.

And it was magical. Really.

I would go again with my husband (sans kids) - it was that good. But I wouldn't recommend it for children under about 7. It was a thoughtful movie, not a typical Hollywood loud, fast, colourful kids' movie - and as such won't appeal to all children. Consider your child's attention span - if they can sit through a great nature documentary then they probably have the right temperament for this one. And if they do, they will love it!

I have heard that it is the only movie truly worth seeing in 3D, but sadly the cinema I went to was only able to show it in 2D.

Oh and look out for the Johnny Depp cameo...

Week 2/52 - A narrow view of narrower people

2012-01-08T21:54:00.001+11:00

trying my hand at: body-positive blogging...

It fascinates me that my health can be commentated by someone who has absolutely no medical data on me (besides a picture of me in my swimmers – oh hang on, that’s not medical data). Not my blood pressure, my fitness, physical strength, activity levels, stress levels, alcohol or drug consumption, genetic predispositions or socio-economic circumstances – all of which contain health predictors*. Even my weight is an unknown piece of medical data to everyone outside my eating disorder treatment team.

It is well and truly time that we stopped approaching health with a cookie-cutter mentality – as in, thinner = healthier, larger = unhealthier. Of course obesity is unhealthy. So is anorexia. So is heroin addiction – but hey, you can really get thin that way. Using size as the only indicator to someone’s health is facile. It’s also dangerous as young girls opt for radical diet and drug options to be thin and fit the media’s portrayal of health and beauty.

Being thin and unfit has been found to more dangerous to health than being overweight but fit.** We are simply not all made to be the same height, have the same eyes or teeth or hair, the same amount of muscle, the same intelligence, and on and on. It is shallow to suggest that we are all the same in body type and only people who overeat and are lazy might be bigger than a magazine model.

So why should I be the only one allowed to get in my cozzies? Is summer just for the thin, or is it for everyone regardless of whether others feel the need to critically judge them? We should all be able to be comfortable in our own skin despite what uninformed media commentators write. I celebrate the differences between people. I try very hard not to judge people by the way they look – because nobody knows anyone else’s full story.

As far as what I owe to myself and my children, I owe them food that is cooked from scratch, using as many fresh ingredients and as few additives as possible. I owe them mealtimes around the family table. I owe them the very best of myself, which includes (but is not limited to) keeping myself healthy via plenty of exercise, fresh air, fresh food and laughter. I owe them a broad world view and an education that includes how to be a compassionate human being. I owe them a safe home and a community surrounding them that loves them. And I owe it to them to be self-confident and self-loving so that they can feel the same no matter whether or not they end up looking like Elle MacPherson.

I am grateful to my body for the three children it has given me, for its strength and ability to work long hard hours, but still I long for robust good health. Yes, robust good health. Despite my hard work I am chronically anaemic. I am Vitamin D and B12 deficient. I have had a stress fracture and ventricular atrophy. As well as terrible anxiety brought on by periods of starvation. According to the hard medical data, overweight and fit is a far healthier state than I'm in. Sure, one day I may drop dead of a heart attack or contract cancer. Or be the victim of some terrible random accident or evil event. Or go peacefully at a ripe old age surrounded by people who love me. We all will, one way or another. But until then I will continue to fight to survive as fully and joyfully as each day allows, with the body God gave me in all its magnificent imperfection.

*http://www.aihw.gov.au/risk-factors/ – Authoritative information and statistics
to promote better health and wellbeing. This government website states that risk factors to health ” do not operate in isolation. They often coexist and interact with one another.” And that overweight/obesity is a biomedical risk factor which “may be influenced by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and other broad factors.”
** http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/health/19well.html This is one of many articles citing studies showing that being overweight but fit is healthier than being unfit and thin. Compelling reading for those interested in the facts.

This is a reinterpretation of today's magnificent post by the inspirational Julie Goodwin. And appears here with permission, as I so longed to reinforce her point:

Don't judge - for better or for worse. Nobody knows anyone else’s full story.

Now go read the original :-)

Week 1/52 - iphone photography at 100km/hr

2012-01-05T23:38:00.000+11:00

trying my hand at: photo blogging...

On my recent drive back to Victoria from South Australia we drove through some extremely pretty towns and landscapes in between. So armed with my iphone these photos were all taken through my (grubby) (passenger) car window at 100km/hr. And just to be really artsy, the first two are straight out of the camera and completely untouched :-)

Week 1/52 - Unplanning my year

2012-01-04T23:02:00.000+11:00

random pic from here

This is how I see my year panning out with respect to my blogging. Random.

I've decided there are so many things I like and so many things I would like to try, that I don't want to be locked into any one theme. So my blog is going to change from week to week. I might try my hand at being a travel blogger, or an adventure blogger or a crafty blogger, or possibly even a fashion blogger (have no fear Nikki I'm not after your job!!).

But all of this is going to take place on a whim. No plans. No structure. No promises.

This is my new blog. This is going to be fun!

RULES TO LIVE BY #3 - the marriage equality edition

2011-12-07T09:23:00.001+11:00

source

RULES TO LIVE BY #3 - same sex marriage does not affect the sanctity of marriage, the Kardashians do.

This is how I see it.

It started with religion. Those good ol' catholics and protestants. Well, we couldn't have marriages between them now could we? Well, as it turns out, yes we can.

Then of course it was the turn of race. The world surely would come crashing down if Greeks and Italians married, right. What about an Aussie and a Greek? Or, heaven forbid and an Aussie and an Indigenous Aussie? Well, no it didn't.

And we laugh at how much of an issue that was for our predecessors (well, most of us laugh!!) for that fear doesn't exist for most of us now. In fact it's hard for most of us to imagine what the big deal ever was. It's just not an issue. Everyone is allowed to marry whom ever they choose. If they love each they can get married. Regardless of creed or colour. Right?

No.

Still after hundreds and hundreds of years of people thinking they can be in charge of what other people do and think we still haven't learned. We still look for groups to impose our ideals on. So now it's the turn of same-sex couples. And my goodness there have been some really great reasons why this would end society as we know it!!
It would lead to infidelity in heterosexual couples.
It would lead to polygamy.
It would make a mockery of the sanctity of marriage.

Um, how? If 72 days and $17.9 million didn't make a mockery of the sanctity of marriage (thank you Kim Kardashian) then Kerryn Phelps and her wife certainly don't either.

source

I do concede that the children of same-sex marriage may have a tougher time initially than the children of heterosexual couples - but so did the children of interfaith and inter-racial marriages initially. And although bigotry still exists - there's no denying that!- it does become less and less with each generation and that should never stop change from occurring.

Marriage Equality is simply the next natural progression of a fair and democratic society. Embrace it or go join the dinosaurs.

RULES TO LIVE BY #2 - The Budgie Smugglers Edition

2011-11-19T20:59:00.000+11:00

RULES TO LIVE BY #2 : Not even Olympians wear budgie smugglers anymore so there's no excuse for them - ever.

Any questions...

Pic: Jim Trifyllis Herald Sun

RULES TO LIVE BY #1 - the dishes edition

2011-11-16T22:35:00.008+11:00

A rambling stream-of-consciousness thing on twitter the other night led me to tweet my #rulestoliveby (as you do). So I thought I might use a whole lot of them as a springboard for some blog posts and elaborate on what the heck I was rabbiting about!

So here's my first one:

RULES TO LIVE BY #1: If the dishes all fit in the sink, you don't have to do them yet.

Those who know me, know that this is a special rule - very close to my heart. Which is why it has such prime position. Without the dishes, nothing else in the house would ever get done. Seriously, if I wasn't procrastinating about doing the dishes what motivation would I have for changing the sheets?

But for those of you with limited imagination I shall provide here, for no extra charge, some visual examples of this rule in action.

Acceptable:

these dishes are fine. Go to bed. You can always do them tomorrow :-)

Unacceptable:

Ahem?!! No.

Just showing off:

NB: file photo

So there we go - my first edition of RULES TO LIVE BY. Come back soon for the next exciting and life-liberating installment.

xxxCate

PS: this rule holds for the washing in the hamper too btw :-)

Keeping it Real for Fox in Flats

2011-11-09T22:00:00.002+11:00

The lovely Andrea over at Fox in Flats has a fashion dare for us each week. Only this week she took a little left turn and dared us to share what the inside of our wardrobes really look like.

Now, because I'm a nice sensible sort I responded with "not in a million trillion, squillion years baby!!"

My own wardrobe is so far down on my list of jobs each day I'm lucky if my own things get put away once a week - so no lookie lookie.

But I do believe firmly in bloggers keeping it real. I think that modelling perfection is damaging to the self esteem of those we are modelling for.

So with this in mind I refuse to chicken out altogether (despite telling her just to refer to me as 'Chickie Babe' from now onwards). So what I will share with you is what awaits me this evening - my living room. Or as I like to call it - where my kids came in and exploded.

Yes, well you might say "Oh my Giddy Aunt!"

But let me walk you through a few of the highlights before I have to go and actually fix this disaster:

My personal favourite is of course the whole, raw potato for "tutting" practise. Meerkat not only helped herself to said potato, but also the knife (butter) with which to do her practise cutting (random stabbing of said potato) while I was otherwise occupied preparing dinner and didn't care as long as they all left me alone for twenty minutes!

So there we go - hope you all had a good laugh and now feel much better about the states of your own living rooms.

I'm off to do some serious tidying - until of course they get home from school again tomorrow when it will revert to it's original condition - sigh.

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

a PROPER bucket list

2011-11-02T15:17:00.000+11:00

I sat behind Jim Stynes in a cafe yesterday.

Such a beautiful man. So inspiring, and yet so clearly mortal now.

And I started thinking quite seriously if I died tomorrow what would I be sorry I never did. I can tell you I thought feck all about my dishes...

But here are some of the things I did think about. My new proper bucket list. The things I hope to cross off as I go on living, everyday.

1. Write a book. A really good one, like 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' or 'Harry Potter'. There's a certain immortality that goes along with being a published author.

2. Take the kiddos to Switzerland so we can run around in the alps and pretend to be Heidi :-)

3. Go on the 'Vomit Comet' - as a child I always wanted to be an astronaut, and this is probably about as close as I will get to that one.

4. Get to the US and meet my nephews.

5. See the Northern Lights.

6. Swim in a waterfall in Hawaii.

7. Volunteer on the Butterfly Foundation helpline.

8. Run in a marathon. Cliched, maybe. But I really want to know I can. And my chances of getting to the Olympics are looking slim these days ;-)

9. Have a white Christmas with my beautiful family.

10. Live long enough to see my children grow up and have children of their own.

*image from here

What's on your *proper* bucket list?

Stop cyber-bullying

2011-10-23T23:44:00.000+11:00

I saw this very short video (48 secs) the other day at school and I was so moved by it's confronting delivery and simple, powerful message that I want to share it with you here - and encourage you to show it to your kids. I have.

thank you for watching...
xxxCate

Day 365 - blog like no one is reading

2011-10-19T19:41:00.007+11:00

Dance like the photo's not being tagged,

Love like you've never been unfriended,

Tweet like no one's following.

I have held off writing this post for a number of reasons, but the most important reason has been due to some advice given by ProBlogger at the nuffnang blogopolis

"tell them something important"

eek!

So here's the important something I've learned about blogging over the last 365 days:

blog like no one is reading.

So what would I write about if no one was reading?

I would write about how meaningful this blogging journey has been for me,

and how happy it has made me.

All my life I've lived life on the surface - too afraid to really look inside at the true me, just in case she was boring and annoying and no one liked her. So I've kept up the perky act. Always happy and bouncy and full life and energy. Now that's not to say that I don't feel like that most of the time, but there's certainly another side to me. I was taught: don't sook, don't be lazy and don't draw attention to yourself. But I took this to a rather spectacularly self-destructive level. My reaction earlier this year to the idea that someone really didn't like me, and that she was making others not like me either nearly landed me in hospital. I stopped eating and it was not pretty:

I didn't have the confidence or sense of self worth to just shrug it off, but instead I internalised it until it was almost too late.

But I'm gradually begining to understand that I am ok. I am allowed to have my own opinions and that if someone doesn't like me it is not all my fault - it's just life. And that I don't have to be anyone else. There are people out there who genuinely like me for who I am. There are people out there who struggle as I do. And blogging has been a big part of these realisations and understandings.

My life is worth so much more than a number on the scales. Or whether my dishes are done. Or whether my kids can read before birth.

So if for a second you suspect that your headstone will read: "She kept a tidy house" then I emplore you to go deeper. You will like what you find. I promise :-)

So for the last 365 days, from the bottom of my heart...
thank you for reading
xxxCate

Day 364 - answer to the fashion crisis

2011-10-13T21:15:00.002+11:00

Thank you to everyone who left me a comment, tweeted and emailed me. I have tallied all the results and the clear winner with 24 votes was dress #1!!!

In 2nd place with 15 votes was dress #2 and dress #4 finished up with 1 vote. Funnily enough the one I like wearing the most (I love the lace) is dress #3 which didn't get any votes!

But I definitely feel much more confident now about getting all frocked up tomorrow (and if I get around to it I might even tweet a picture of me with my head attached - ie: with my hair done!!). Now I just need to solve my problem of my babysitter cancelling at 1:16pm today (grrrr).

thank you all for helping me out :-)
xxxCate

Day 363 - Wordless Wed: Meerkat's new bed

2011-10-12T22:27:00.000+11:00

Well you'd be speechless too if your toddler chose these sheets :-)

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys

thanks for visiting
xxxCate

Day 361 - the Rock Star Party

2011-10-10T22:44:00.000+11:00

Snowbear turned 10 while I was on my bloggy break. And she planned her own party this year. And when I say planned - I mean every detail starting in about Feb of this year.

She found an ad in the back of Melbourne Child advertising party limos - and from there the whole shindig just evolved.

Thankfully the limo limited the number of girls she could invite to a total of 8 (so with Snowbear and Monkey that made 10 hyped-up screaming girls!!).

IT WAS AWESOME!!

there were VIP tickets to the party

there was karaoke

there was dancing

there was cake

and, oh boy, there was a LIMO!!!

And when it was all over, Snowbear told me it was the best party she'd ever been to. awwww. Who could ask for anything more than that?

xxxCate

Day 360 - the circus party

2011-10-09T07:38:00.000+11:00

I've been up to lots of great things while I've been on my bloggy break - and this has even included a couple of birthday parties for my special girls.

But up first was the circus party for Meerkat - yeah yeah, so maybe she turned 2 *quite* some time agao, but heh, she doesn't know right???

plus the Wiggles Hot Poppin Popcorn music

fun fun fun

such a happy day :-)

xxxCate

Day 359 - the fashion crisis

2011-10-08T17:05:00.001+11:00

Thank you so much to everyone for your messages of love and support while I have been away from my blog. It means more to me than anything to know you are all so willing to stick by me through the tough times - I can't tell you how much I appreciate it xxx

So what major event in my life has precipitated my return? Yep, a fashion crisis!!

I am going to a 'do' on friday. And I need to wear a dress. [insert favourite expletive here]

This is a genuine nightmare for me. I have put on what I consider to be a pretty substantial amount of weight in the past few months and nothing I do is going to make me happy with this at the moment. I want to cry when I see these photos. I just can't stand them. So in order to save myself any more distress I'm just going to put the pics up here - you guys pick the dress. I'll wear whatever you choose :-)

So please leave me a comment and help me out

thanks
xxxCate

Day 331 - I'll be back

2011-09-10T22:30:00.002+10:00

Dear Friends,
I'm going to have to take a little unscheduled break. I can't shake this anorexia thing and it's just sucking the fun out of this blog. But just for now. I will be back after a short break, some early nights, and a little self-care. But do drop by and talk to me on twitter if you're over there some time :-)
thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 329 - {this moment} such a busy day

2011-09-09T20:59:00.000+10:00

out cold :-)

have a great weekend everyone!!
xxxCate

Day 327 - Monkey's craft corner

2011-09-07T20:18:00.000+10:00

Knitting has proven to be very difficult for Monkey - try as she might she is having great difficulty getting her little fingers to do what she wants them to. And is getting a *tad* cranky about it to say the least :-)

So enter Plan B. We found this lovely sewing book full of projects which I am encouraging her to tackle *on her own*

That's right, completely on her own. The idea being that she can't make any mistakes. Anything she does 'wrong' is actually just a chance for her to learn a better way of doing it. I explained the thousands of times I've have to unpick something because I've sewn the wrong sides together - and yes, she laughed!!

And here's the first of what's bound to be many creations - a felt finger puppet ducky :-)

So hopefully this will not only encourage her to strengthen her fingers, but also to strengthen her patience and resilience.

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

note: this is not a sponsored post. I bought the book myself from my local independent bookshop :-)

Day 324 - father-daughter cooking class

2011-09-04T15:56:00.002+10:00

Today's meaningful thing is not actually mine. It's actually the hubby's (although I did keep the other kiddos out of mischief during it).

One of the class reps (the divine Sx) organised a father-daughter cooking class at William Angliss and the hubby and Monkey went along to put their cooking skills to the test. Now, unbeknownst to most of the other dads, the hubby is actually a very accomplished cook. In fact prior to us having kids he would cook at least as often I me - although that has now dwindled down to the Saturday night BBQ (darn it!). Unlike me, he actually enjoys it and has been to several cooking courses.

So needless to say Monkey was *very* proud to be with her clever daddy as they produced (apparently) the best looking chocolate mousse cake:

and an extremely yummy chocolate tart:

So Happy Father's Day hubby - your kiddos love you very much <3
xxxCate

Day 323 - hooray for running

2011-09-03T07:40:00.000+10:00

Hubby got home from the airport earlier than expected yesterday and I was able to go out for my fourth run of the week - actually my fourth run since May! And I finally managed to get around my short course without stopping (my fitness has not surprisingly fallen off somewhat). But damn it felt good. As I rounded my last corner and I could see my finishing point about 200m down the path, and I still had plenty in the tank, I literally smiled :-)

I love the wind in face. I love how fast my feet feel. I love the feeling of freedom running brings.

I love to run.

I missed it so much.

So today I am grateful to finally be back running.

To see what other people are grateful for on this fine spring morning pop over to the Beetle Shack who's kindly hosting us for the (also) MIA Maxabella (we love you Bron - come back soon :-)

Have a great weekend :-)
xxxCate

Day 322 - {this moment} 4:15am

2011-09-02T21:16:00.000+10:00

I know, I know, I've been totally MIA lately, for a whole raft of reasons - not the least of which is Meerkat's current habit of rising *well* before the sun. But even she hit a new low this morning with her 4:15am start :(

Those of you on twitter may have seen a fair few insanely early tweets from me - not all of which are grumpy, mind you. As at least getting up so early means I'm usually ready nice and calmly (albeit slugishly!!).

But all this has meant that my sleep patterns have had to change - a lot!

So as much as I love you all - I currently have my eyes tightly shut and am visiting the land of nod.

Have a great weekend everyone
xxxCate

Day 320 - Role Modelling Mum: Negative Self-Talk

2011-08-31T20:53:00.000+10:00

Can I be a good role model even if I'm not perfect?

Much like negative comments about my body, I am sure I have never engaged in negative self-talk in front of my kids. But how much do I convey through my expressions and body language, and worse still what do they hear when I think they are not listening?

I do have a tendency to blame myself for every mistake that happens - mostly I'm just too lazy or too stupid. Seems harmless enough when you say it as a joke - "I'm *so* lazy" "I'm *so* stupid" "I'm *such* a clutz" - all said in the LOL tone of voice obviously.

But those little ears are listening. And learning. And repeating.

And nothing breaks your heart faster than hearing your beautiful child say that they are stupid for making a mistake.

Arrgh!! WHY the negative self-talk??
Personally I think fear of change, of having to work to improve, is one of the factors. Do I need to change my routine. Do I need to learn a better way of doing something? Do I need to ask for extra help? Sometimes resorting to "I'm so stupid" is the easy option.

I also think it sometimes it can be a protective mechanism. If I'm too stupid to succeed then I don't have to try and I didn't really fail if I can't do it because I wasn't going to be able to anyway. But again, I think this is taking the easy option.

But then there is always the third option that it was what I was taught as a child. When children are repeatedly told something unkind they eventually believe it to be fact.

But having said all that, what I dislike about negative self-talk more than anything is it's self-defeating nature. As soon as you say "I can't do it" guess what, you can't! Nothing will bring you down and grind you to a halt faster than telling yourself you will fail.

HOW to get rid of it??
I find putting things into perspective is a great place to start when I am blowing things out of proportion; is it really a disaster? (um, no!) am I really stupid? (again, no!) or was I just plain tired? (more than likely).

Being prepared and being organised I find are great strategies for keeping on top of things and not getting myself into a mess. But when I do (that was when, not if!!) I really need to be kind to myself and remember that no-one is perfect (regardless of what they'll have you believe on their blog!). I do a lot of sole parenting with no family around. Plus I work outside of the house. So if I am too tired to bake/clean/wash/all-those-other-things-perfect-people-do, then it is understandable.

WHAT did I do about it with my lovely kiddos??
I wanted to explain to my kids about the self-defeating consequences of negative self-talk, but this explanation was not going to work with their cute little faces looking back at me. So here's what I said instead:

When you say mean things about yourself,
you switch your brain from happy to sad.

Please feel free to use this explanation with your own kids. Mine seemed to grasp it straight away. I did go on to say things like "you wouldn't want me to call you stupid, so you shouldn't say it to yourself" and "you are your own best friend so you have to be nice to yourself", but honestly nothing seemed as effective as that first statement. It just seemed to click with them.

So, here's to lots of happy little brains :-)
thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 319 - sickie

2011-08-30T21:20:00.000+10:00

image via we heart it

Hi all!! Sorry I've been a bit MIA the last few days, but I went away on the weekend and have managed to pick up a bad case of plane-flu :(

I'm absolutely fine (I promise!!) - I really am just a bit blah. So am treating myself to another early night.

But I'll be back with a busy update just as soon as I can manage it

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 314 - watch this space

2011-08-24T20:38:00.002+10:00

A soon-to-be-released book aimed at the tween girls' market has raised more than a few eyebrows in the blogosphere of late. And to say that I think it is an appalling, revolting and incredibly irresponsible excuse for advice for young impressionable girls would be the understatement of the decade. It smacks of glib and antiquated ideas that girls will be happy and successful if only they could be thin and pretty. It disgusts me.

But why be this annoyed and not use that energy to do something? So watch this space for my response to Maggie Goes on a Diet.

And if you would like a more eloquent analysis of this book go to Beautiful You by Julie Parker.

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 313 - one happy little thing for today

2011-08-23T20:19:00.000+10:00

The sun was shining so beautifully the girls wanted to scooter to the park after school.

But what about dinner, and the washing, and the dishes, and homework, and piano practice, and...

Oh stuff it! Let's go to the park :-)

and no, none of the other jobs have been done yet (except dinner naturally!!)
but the kiddos are all tucked up in bed, happily exhausted :-)

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 311 - one little job

2011-08-21T21:20:00.001+10:00

When I had my first baby I rapidly came to conclusion that I should only ever plan to do one thing each day - whether that was change the sheets, or do the supermarket shopping, or whatever. Just one thing. That was enough.

But somewhere along the line I lost sight of that simple, sensible plan. But today I reclaimed it. And I plan to try to remember it when possible in the future. It's a good plan.

Today I did one job. A job I've been meaning to do for ages.

a little too much help :-)

And once it was done I took the kiddos to the beach. It was a good day :-)

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 310 - hooray for winter sun

2011-08-20T18:00:00.000+10:00

and simple pleasures :-)

To find out what other people are grateful for today, pop over to the divine Miss Maxabella's

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

Day 309 - {this moment} Mum's little helper

2011-08-19T20:23:00.000+10:00

My friday photo...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...

inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

have a great weekend everyone!!

xxxCate

Day 308 - finally started the family knitting project

2011-08-18T21:47:00.000+10:00

Yep! Finally!!

Monkey had the day off school today so spent the day with me at craft group. Perfect chance to start our family knitting project.

I figured out pretty quickly that this is going to be a very tricky task for Monkey, so her patchwork square will need to be done in three rectangular strips. But she's slowly getting the hang of it, despite routinely forgetting which hands to hold the needles in, dropping stitches, and somehow ending up with the wool at the wrong end of the row (very strange). But perfection is not the point!

and I started my square too!!

It's going to be so wonderful once it's it's finished :-)

And of course Snowbear is now falling over herself to start her square - but that will need to wait until the weekend I think.

thanks for reading
xxxCate

Day 306 - so much reading

2011-08-16T21:00:00.000+10:00

and if you think this is my house, you clearly don't know me!!

The next time I write myself a things-I-want-to-do list remind me to add 'read 6 books' - because then I can just cross it straight off.

As I finished off my book last night and put it on my ever more impressive looking pile on my bed side table, I realised that in the last two months I've read half a dozen non-fiction books.

Now I don't know about you, but for me to set aside that much time in the pursuit of knowledge is pretty rare for me these days. Sure I would have done it in my uni days But even in my pregnancy days I probably only read one or two. So I'm pretty impressed with that giant stack on my table.

And tonight? Well I'm actually just going to have a cuppa and turn in early :-)

So, thanks for reading...I'm off to bed!!
xxxCate

Day 305 - Red for Daniel

2011-08-15T18:42:00.001+10:00

Sometimes we just have no words.

Sometimes we are completely unable to help.

Which is why I today I wore red for Daniel. For his parents. And for everyone who ever lost a child through such unspeakable tragedy.

I know I won't be able to follow the all horror which is bound to be uncovered - it will just upset me too much.

But I could wear red today.

Day 303 - hooray for honesty and sharing

2011-08-13T14:56:00.000+10:00

Playing along again with that fab linky we all know and love - the Maxabella loves grateful linky!!

And this week I'm grateful for being blown away.

I shared a little bit of personal information earlier this week - and although I'm fine and doing really well, it was still a really hard thing to do. But the response I have received, not just from the supportive blog comments, but then also through DM and email has been so wonderful. A number of bloggers have been kind enough to reach out and share their own personal struggles with me - just to let me know I'm not alone. And for this I cannot thank you enough.

So thank you, thank you, thank you...and know that that doesn't even come close to how I feel :-)

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend too - and don't forget to catch all the grateful posts over at Maxabella's place!!
xxxCate

Day 300 - Role Modelling Mum: Body Image

2011-08-10T19:34:00.007+10:00

I finally heard the words I've been dreading the other day. My beautiful daughter Snowbear, just one month shy of her 10th birthday came up behind me in the kitchen the other day and asked "does this dress make me look fat?"

So I'm back to ask the question again...

Can I be a good role model even if I'm not perfect?

We all want to be good parents. To set a good example for our kids...

...but what if we don't like our own bodies? What if we have poor body image, but still want to model good behaviours for our children - is that possible?

Now, before anyone says to me "what would you know about poor body image?" some of you know that I struggle on and off with anorexia which kind of messes with your body image, so I figure I'm pretty well placed to address this one actually*

I read a brilliant book recently called "Her Mother's Thighs" by Dara Chadwick, in which she chronicles her one-year experience losing weight for a magazine column and how she discussed this with her teenage daughter, as well as the experience of other mums and their teenage daughters, along with some expert contributions.

And the take home message I got from this book is it's not about being perfect, or even about pretending to be perfect. It's about learning to

model acceptance not shame.

So here's some examples of how I will implement the messages from the book into my life:

1. Learn to say nice things about myself
Now I would never make degrogatory comments about myself in front of my kids, but I'm sure I say it with my expressions. And it's not enough simply to remind my daughter of how beautiful she is. I need to model this acceptance of myself through my own words, actions and even expressions. For two reasons:
1. If you say things like I'm so fat, my thighs are too fat, I'm not pretty enough, my hair is too fine etc etc (use your own imaginations here), then what happens as she grows and people start commenting "oh you look so much like your mother" ??
2. It hurts. You are your daughter's hero. You are the most beautiful, most kind and most loving woman she knows. For you to be mean about her hero is awful for her to hear. Don't do it.
Action: find something about myself to say something nice about everyday, even if it's just that I'm having a good hair-day or I'm feeling really smiley today.

2. Learn to accept a compliment
I get extremely uncomfortable when the spotlight is on me - I'm not good at taking a compliment. My natural reaction is to deflect a compliment with humour or to counterbalance it with criticsm. If your daughter says "that dress looks great on you mum" don't finish her sentence with "yeah but it would look better if I was taller/thinner/younger etc"
Action: just say thanks and smile

3. Learn to wear weather-appropriate clothes
I'm betting I have the opposite problem to most of you. I tend not to wear anything that covers me up too much. I worry that if I wear something bulky I'll 'look fat'. But if you have the opposite problem and if it's 42C you are not 'too fat' for shorts. Modelling this kind of shame tells your daughter that only a certain kind of perfect person is 'allowed' to be comfortable and confident.
Action: wear a jacket if it's cold. That's what I expect my girls to do because it's sensible. It's that simple.

4. Learn to encourage weight changes as normal
Again, I would never say "if you eat that you'll get fat", but I am guilty of saying "do you really need to eat all that". And the meaning of that statement needs to be made explicit. Am I meaning "because dinner is only 10 minutes away" or am I meaning "because you'll get fat"? If I am not very careful I will run the risk of making 'fat' some sort of punishment, something to be feared and ashamed of. And then what happens when she does gain weight? Weight gain is perfectly normal for girls approaching puberty. It is not a reflection on her worth or personality. But if I've made her feel it's the worst thing that can happen to her and now that her body has doing exactly what it is supposed to do...
Action: make sure I am careful and thoughtful about explaining my meaning. And make sure I provide plenty of healthy snack options for growing girls who do get very hungry need to snack a lot!

5. Learn to let her be herself
My girls and I have very different dress sense. But mine tends to stem from a 'blend in' standpoint. I wouldn't have the confidence to wear anything too fabulous. I like black and grey beause they don't make me stand out. But my girls are the exact opposite when it comes to fashion - anything goes. And if she really likes the floral dress why shouldn't she wear it? Because it might draw attention? I'm pretty sure that was what she was going for!!
Action: let her experiment with her fashion. Let her find her own style and ways of expressing herself and encourage her to comfortable with her choices by taking the occasional fashion risk myself.

I hope you found something in all that which you find helpful.
Do you have any tips for modelling better body image?
thanks for reading...
xxxCate

*just for the record mothers do not cause anorexia. Poor body image doesn't cause anorexia either, but a good body image is great for confidence and as parents I'm sure you'll agree that we want nothing more than to see our children happy in their own skin.

Day 299 - what I wish the census asked...

2011-08-09T22:30:00.003+10:00

Well I've done mine (yawn) - and I agreed to have my data released in 99 years just in case my decendants want to know how boring this evening was!

So just to jazz up this boring post and for the amusement of those of you not on twitter, here are some of the best #WhatIWishTheCensusAsked tweets:

Blogger or wordpress (@diaryofasahm)
Twitter Google+ or Facebook (@kateburns78)
Mac or PC (@Kirstypiper)
Your place or mine? (@SylingYou)
How many tweets have you sent about the census tonight? (@TheScribbleDen)
Toilet paper over or under the roll? (@yayforhome)
Would you ever consider only using 2in1 shampoo? (@sugercoatit)
Would you like someone else to cook the dinner tonight?/tomorrow night?/every night for the rest of your life? (@Aussiewaffler)
Would you like a gin and tonic while I rub your feet? (@bigwordsblog)
What is the first rule of Fight Club? (@CateP36)
Should the vegemite be kept in the fridge or the pantry? (@Bern_Morley)
Kochie or Karl (@KerriSackville)
Fold or Scrunch (@Annieb25)
how many hours of the week you and spouse spend arguing over who has done the most unpaid domestic labour (@jymak)
have I told you lately that I love you (@kylieladd)
Jim Beam or Johhnie Walker? (katesaysstuff)
Maccas or hungry jacks (@yayforhome)

have you done your census form yet?
xxxCate

Day 298 - the family knitting project

2011-08-08T21:29:00.000+10:00

I finally got the Guardian Angel Knitting Pattern Book - but sadly the projects they require are too complicated for us to make as a family (considering none of my kids can knit yet, and I've only *just* learned).

So we went to the library on sunday and borrowed this

and chose a nice simple patchwork blanket. This way we can work on one square each at a time and then sew them together once we are all finished.

It might not be able to go to the Guardian Angel appeal (since it's not one of their patterns) - but I'm sure we'll find a good home for it once it's made :-)

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 296 - hooray for bloggers

2011-08-06T07:23:00.000+10:00

Playing along with the ever beautiful Maxabella again this week...

And this week I'm grateful for bloggers!

becky, me and naomi at blogopolis

-- Blogger catchups - yay for blogopolis :-)
-- Blogger friends - I've had a some really wonderful email chats with some very caring friends this week and it has meant the world to me.
--Blogger comment love - thank you to everyone who joined in the role modelling discussion the other day when I took a little departure from my normal bloggy-programing. I love you all :-)

to see what everyone else is grateful for, pop over to maxabella loves - and leave her some extra love because it is her birthday!!!!!!
Have a great weekend
xxxCate

Day 295 - {this moment} jeans for genes

2011-08-05T21:54:00.001+10:00

My friday photo...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...

inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

our school raised money for Jeans for Genes day today - which gave me a nice change from trakkies...

hope you all have a great weekend :-)

xxxCate

Day 294 - flowers for me

2011-08-04T21:23:00.000+10:00

Simple day today. Craft group at my house. Lovely friends. Laughter, chit chat, oooh and a *little* gossip :-) And just because, I bought myself a bunch of flowers. No reason. I just liked them. They made me happy...

I hope you are happy too...
xxxCate

Day 293 - Role Modelling Mum

2011-08-03T18:12:00.000+10:00

I want to share a gift with you today. A gift that we all have inside us and one that I hope to use in my life more...

Can I be a good role model even if I'm not perfect?

We all want to be good parents. To set a good example for our kids.

And I've been having some interesting conversations lately with some wonderful bloggers about the merits of modelling imperfection. It may seem counterintuitive to some; the idea that modelling your mistakes and weakeness actual makes you a better role model for your kids.

Surely if we show our children the 'right' way to live we are setting the best example for them? But actually, it would seem that's not entirely true...

stay with me, I'll explain.

example 1: perfect lives

so perfect from here

Think about bloggers whose photos and stories about their lives make you think their life must be so wonderful and perfect. I'm going to use the example of Soule Mama here. I love Soule Mama. With all my heart and soul! Her life seems so perfect to me. Her relaxed and casual life with her children. The amount of time she has to spend cooking with them, crafting with them, picnicing with them. Then of course there's her ability to knit 11 jumpers in one year, make endless clothes for herself, her children and her husband. Write several books, blog, and photograph everything as she goes. Her house is always tidy - minimalist decor, right down to the jars of colour coded pencils in the tidy play room. I love her life. I want her life.

But somewhere in all that love and admiration I just can't shake the problem that deep down she makes me feel bad about myself.

She models perfection.

I can *never* live up to her standards. So I will *always* fall short. I will *always* fail. No matter how hard I try I will *always* fail.

And that's a pretty big thing for an adult to realise, but not monumental as Soule Mama is not all that pivotal in my life really. But what if I modelled that illusion to my children - what would be the consequence...see where I'm going with this?

My children would feel bad about themselves.

No matter how hard they try they would always fail.

example 2: perfect personality

more embarrased than this

I embarrass easily. In fact it's embarrassing how easily I embarrass. I put it down to lack of self confidence, which is embarrassing for me to admit. But I see the same trait starting to come through in one of my kiddos. She came home from school the other day terribly upset because she had sneezed during a quiet moment in choir and everyone had looked at her.
So how to react.
1. Tell her it was no big deal and she shouldn't be embarrassed - toughen up princess (the implication being she is wrong to feel the way she naturally feels), or
2. Share with her that fact that I embarrass easily too, and that I am starting to learn that I worry too much about what other people think. I need to be more resiliant and perhaps as I learn some new skills I could share these with her to help her as she grows. She is not wrong to feel the way she does, but it would be great to learn together how to deal with that feeling.

example 3: perfect choices

not nearly as much fun as this

What about the example a mum friend of mine who used to abuse drugs. This is obviously not something she ever wants her kids to do. So as I see it now she has two choices as her kids grow up.
1. Tell them how terrible drugs are and tell them never to use drugs (the implication being they are bad if they ever do use), or
2. share with them her terrible experiences of using and how difficult it was to give up and how badly it affected her health. And then remind her kids that they are not a failure or a bad person if they do use, but that she really encourages them not to do it.

Obviously option #2 in both cases you all cry. But just think how hard that option really is. Yes, the timing is critical - but you have to fully admit to being a fallable human to your own baby. Very difficult.

And don't just say, of course I tell my kids everything, I'm always honest, I role model imperfection all the time. There is always something you hold back. Something you are truely ashamed of.

It is this something, this biggest imperfection, that is your most powerful tool in being the best role model in your child's life.

What makes you a good role model?

Anyone care to share their biggest imperfection?

I haven't quite decided what I want to do
with this new found realisation - perhaps
your comments will inspire me?

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

Day 292 - it's going to be a circus party

2011-08-02T21:37:00.000+10:00

Totally inspired tonight by Frog Goose and Bear getting reading for a pretty awesome looking rocket party - and remembered that I still haven't given little Meerkat her 2nd birthday party.

So I sat down tonight with hubby and we compared our diaries (as you do) - and we've set a date.

And for a while now I've been planning (in my head naturally) a circus party.

So here's how I imagine it's going to look(ish)...

image

I know I'll never get around to this one
but how cute is it??

image

And for the cake, I'm going old school women's weekly:

original circus train cake

So that should keep me busy :-)
thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 291 - tuna patties for fructose intolerance

2011-08-01T20:24:00.002+10:00

I used to make these patties with breadcrumbs and wheat flour and serve them up about once a fortnight - but new wheat free challenges have meant just a little tweaking.

So now it's steamed and mashed potato (dry potatoes really well before mashing - do not add extra liquid), tinned (well drained) tuna, corn, grated cheese, finely chopped frozen spinach, and rice crumbs - smush into shape, roll in beaten egg and cornflake crumbs (kids love to do this part if I have the time and patience) and then shallow fry...

And bless 'em, they ate it.

So that's another tick on the new (and ever growing) fructose intolerance friendly menu :-)

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 290 - 10 things I learned at nuffnang blogopolis

2011-07-31T15:49:00.001+10:00

To be perfectly honest I went along yesterday with very little idea of what was being discussed and presented. I basically just wanted to go - and I had total faith in nuffnang that it was going to be fab and informative. But whoa - it was awesome.

So here, in no particular order, are some of the truely useful bits I learned at the nuffnang blogopolis 2011

1. I need to at least have my own domain name and not a blogspot one - and I really should be moving to wordpress

2. I should be caching my posts - using CloudFlare (this will compress the data from each post as well as spread the blog content into different servers around the world). I should do this for two reasons - firstly it reduces page load time and secondly it means that even if the server I use goes offline my blog never will.

3. I should compress all images using Smush.It before uploading them - again to increase page loading speed.

4. Lots more great info of SEOs. I should establish around 5 keywords I think describe my blog and then be consistent in using these in my posts, titles and tags (but don't overdo it or google gets cranky!!).

5. To avoid or overcome blogger burnout I should reconnect with my blogging goals and keep my blog fresh (did you notice my new look??).

6. Build a few specific personas of the people you are writing for and then write posts specifically for these people.

7. The content of your posts is key - not your design or your logo

8. Develop cooperative and collaborative relationships with other bloggers in your niche - a good blogger community is so important.

9. Reward your readers - give them credit and fame. Share their comments and link to their posts.

10. Closing piece of advice from ProBlogger: The key to successful blogging: "tell them something important"

Thank you so much to Nic Avery, Micheal Aulia, Arnold Aranez, Danimezza, Ming Giang, Christie Burnett, Susan Thye, Nikki Parkinson, Andrew Hughes, Jaclyn Ely, Phoebe Montague, Jeff Tan, Candice Deville, Helen Yee, Eden Riley and Darren Rouse for all your amazing words of wisdom!

And of course the whole crew from nuffnang!!

I'm so inspired...
xxxCate

Day 289 - Family Charity Goal 2011

2011-07-28T21:23:00.000+10:00

image from here

After the success of our 2010 family give-away-a-day charity goal - we have come up with a new goal for 2011. The big kiddos are I are going to participate in the Guardian Angel Knitting Program.*

We will try to knit at least one row (hopefully more once we all get the hang of it) everyday for the whole month of August - and will include daily updates at the end of each day's post :-)

Now I just have a couple more days to teach the kiddos how to knit. And buy some wool. Oh and some knitting needles.
Wish me luck...
xxxCate

*thank you to Julie over at beautiful you for the inspiration!!

Day 288 - I blame the mouse

2011-07-27T22:50:00.000+10:00

Actually I had a pretty productive day! I finished off the graphic design work I've been doing for a friend and I met an amazingly inspiring author I've been wanting to meet for ages now (squeal!!).

But you know, it's never quite enough if you don't get to do the thing you had planned on doing. And I'd planned on hanging up my calendar. Doesn't sound too big a task (and it is nearly august!). So I popped into the garage to fossick for the stick-on hooks I know I have somewhere in there.

I opened up the first box and I kid you not there was a mouse in it!!!

it was even cuter than this one

Luckily I'm not actually scared of mice (spiders are a whole other story however). But I do draw the line at reaching into a box containing a mouse no matter how small and really quite cute it is.

So as pathetic as that sounds, I still don't have the blinky calendar up! Just as well I did all those other brill things today :-)
thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 287 - sometimes a girl just needs her mum

2011-07-26T21:07:00.000+10:00

image from here

Snowbear had a bad day at school. A friend of hers (who, I'm sorry, but I just can't like) gave her a chinese burn and yelled in her face.

And to cap it off tonight she came down with the same sore throat that laid up Monkey for a few days last week...

And then when Meerkat accidently stepped on her (as she lay on the floor ready for bed at 6:30pm) it was just the end... the poor little thing just sobbed and sobbed.

So my meaningful thing for today was to hold my nearly 10y.o. like a little baby and hug her tightly - something I don't do nearly often enough now that she is so grown up. I listened quietly as she told me everything about her bad day - I think it felt really good to be able to unload all her woes to her mummy. I reminded her how much I love her and what a beautiful, kind, sweet and lovely girl she it.

It made me feel really good to know I can still be there for my little-big girl too. I know all these social things will become more complicated as she grows and I really want her to know that she can always come to me for the little and the big stuff - and that no matter what, I'm always on her side.

And I always love her...
xxxCate

Day 286 - chicken schnitzel for fructose intolerance

2011-07-25T21:04:00.001+10:00

Another new staple that has recently been added to our weekly menu is chicken schnitzel. Not only does it include actual chicken (you know, meat!!!) but the way I make it means it's suitable for the frutcose-intolerant kiddo.

So how do I do wheat free schnitzel that's actually yummy?

Yep, it's just chicken breast cut into strips, dipped in egg and then dipped in cornflake crumbs. Fry in a little oil and bingo...

Yummy for the whole family :-)
thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 285 - Busy Bucket List Check-in

2011-07-24T21:13:00.000+10:00

When I wrote this bucket list I had 100 days to go on my 365 day challenge to do something meaningful every single day. Now I only have 80...

And because I actually want to do the things on this list I am going to regularly check-in with it to see how I'm going and what needs a ~~good kick in the pants~~ little encouragment.

1. get to the bottom of the washing/folding/put away pile - *just once* No, but I am getting there :-)

2. keep on top of the dishes for one whole week FAIL

3. finish the 5 PIF gifts No, but I did get the one I have started out and *look* at it!!

4. finish Meerkat's jumper Missed craft-group this fortnight because Monkey was sick - so no progress

5. put up the calendar (yes, I am aware it's July, but it's still just slid in behind the bread keeper) Um, no...

6. fix the broken slat on Monkey's bed Nope..

7. finish the playroom Nope...

8. finish unpacking all those pesky moving boxes I've been hiding in the garage. Didn't even think about it...

9. come up with another family charity goal last year's give-away-a-day No, but this is one I really want to get on to...

10. take the girls to the park/library at least once a week Oh thank goodness, finally a yes!!

11. go out to dinner with hubby at least 3 times oops...

12. continue with weekly meal planning and preparation yes

13. Call my brother in the US No but I did email him

14. Join (or at least find out about joining) a sports team - netball?? sigh...this is not going all that well is it?? That would be a no...

15. settle on a theme for xmas YES!!! Red and White!

16. make a cover for the tv (you know out of sight out of mind) No, but I still really like this idea :-)

17. hang out on the beach with my kids At least this one I'm excused from until the weather warms up

18. stay in a caravan As I said in my holiday round-up a cabin in a caravan park sort-of counts...but I'm still really keen

19. introduce a techno-free day into each week This I have actually tried...and it didn't work. I have found that it is better to just reduce my time overall, and specifically when I am with the kids, and to be mindful of being with them when we are together, than to try to turn off all together. I like my online connections. They make me feel, well, connected. And that's not a bad thing, or something I should feel inherently guilty about. So I'm going to cut myself some slack on this one :-)

20. take a short bloggy break Yes, and it was very nice!!

Right. A big oh dear!!! Only 4 yes's. But still it's early days.
But I want to add:
21. Do more proper writing
22. Really get my house looking the way I would like it to

But I think I'm going to need a bit more structure if I'm going to make the most of my time and do these things I want to do - instead of just letting the time escape...

Perhaps a Cate Time-table is in order?
to be continued I think...
xxxCate

Day 284 - hooray for happy

2011-07-23T18:32:00.001+10:00

Playing along with BabyMac today while Maxabella is having a little break...so thanks Beth for making sure we can still remember to be grateful :-)

pretty pic from here

And today I am grateful for happiness...

There seems to be quite a lot of it floating around the Busy House at the moment - and it's so lovely.

The big girls are happy to be back at school
Meerkat is always happy and her laughter and smiles are just so contagious
I am happy to be back at work - and I also just have a nice relaxed contentment thing going on at the moment (which I'm sure is helping with the overall happy-level about the house too!!)

So that's about it for this week. Just sunshiny-yellow happiness. Nice :-)

To see what other people are grateful for pop over to the lovely BabyMac

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 283 - {this moment} my next tidying project

2011-07-22T21:03:00.000+10:00

My friday photo(s)...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember*...

inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

*okay maybe not so much remember, but anyhoo...moving on...

I was so motivated by yesterday's wonderful extreme tidy-up of the girls' wardrobe that I've decided to attack the girls' bookcase. But I suspect that some built-ins are going to be required...

I'm not even kidding...
and there's still 2 mores boxes full!

have a good weekend everyone :-)

xxxCate

Day 282 - Drab to Fab: corners of my home

2011-07-21T19:31:00.003+10:00

Yay for Diminishing Lucy and her drab2fab linky - the inspiration for my meaningful thing for the day...

I was supposed to be knitting up a storm at craftgroup today, all inspired after yesterday's post...but Monkey is home sick. So that was the end of that.

So I spent the day making one little corner of my home so much more

fab than drab.

It was the big girls' wardrobe. It's been depressing me for a few weeks now, but it has a sliding door which you can just magically shut...so that's what I've been successfully doing for a few weeks now.

But today - I attacked!!!

before...

(I've talked at length elsewhere about my love of those ginormous blue ikea bags. But when they start to be used to actually store the clothes rather than just transport them up the stairs, it's time for an intervention baby!!)

after...ta da!!!

So much much better! And yes, I would like to do something with those packing boxes that are storing the grown-out-of school uniforms and portfolios...but that's just aesthetics - and that can wait. Right now I just wanted to find the floor again!!!

Hope your day was more fab than drab too :-)
thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 281 - who let the hum-drum in?

2011-07-20T12:56:00.000+10:00

This past week a little bit of graphic design work has come my way as a favour to a friend - and I'm loving it! It's not something I do anymore and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. It's creative and brain-drainingly meticulous at the same time; but when you're done you have a finished piece you can look at and think
"I actually *made* that"!!

I was reading today's post over at Alice Becomes where Nic reveals her new inspiration canvas - which she made with her own two hands and now has something that can daily remind her of her creativity. I need a bit more of that.

The hum-drum has crept back into my life a bit too much lately.

image from here

So here's some creative things I would like to work on to push a bit of that hum-drum away:
Craft group tomorrow - working on Meerkat's jumper
5x PIF gifts to make (and finish!!)
an inspiration board of my own
this xmas tree (except I can decide if I want all colourful or just red/white)
Circus Birthday Party for Meerkat (by the time I do invitations, decorations, and catering that should indulge my need to be creative!)

And I really need to start joining in Our Creative Space again too for inspiration and motivation :-)
so creativity starts...tomorrow...
xxxCate

Day 280 - sausage rolls for fructose intolerance

2011-07-18T18:29:00.001+10:00

Those of you who are regular readers (bless you) might get the impression that I love to cook. But believe me - nothing could be further from the truth. Honestly I'm really not all that terribly keen on it at all!!

But it seems my lot in life is to cook...endlessly...

And just to further complicate matters and to test my culinary-challenged skills, one of my kiddos has been diagnosed as fructose intolerant. And it's a doozy of an intolerance. She doesn't seem to be able to handle even very small amounts.

So no apples. No pears. No legumes. No onions or leeks. No watermelon, avocados, lentil, chickpeas, baked beans, honey... get the idea.
But the really big one:
No wheat.

Which considering said affected child is my reeeeeeeeally fussy eater anyway, this is posing some considerable challenges and limitations on variety at meal times.

So on with my mother-of-invention hat. And out with the Macro Gluten Free pizza base packet mix (again). So far we've used this packet mix for pizza (of course). But also as a base for quiche and shepherds pie. And tonight as wheat free sausage roll pastry.

just mince and grated cheese

Not Nigella...but they ate it...and it was red meat. So that's a major victory in my book :-)

Anyone else out there with some fructose-intolerant-appropriate recipes??

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 279 - so how did the holiday wishlist go?

2011-07-17T22:12:00.000+10:00

Righto. Holidays over (*sad face*)
But I really wanted to make sure we did as many of the things the kiddos wanted to do so we wrote our Team Busy Holiday Bucket List - and then got cracking!!

So how'd we do??

1. caravaning - no (*sad face* again) but we did manage two nights in an onsite cabin in the Sale caravan park! That sort of counts...

2. 10 pin bowling - yep!!

3. ice skating - oh yeah! Twice! But more importantly the first time was with my good friend SuperRelish

4. movies - well I took the girls to see Mr Popper's Penguins. And although it did look fun I didn't get to see more than about 5 minutes all up thanks to Meerkat's inability to sit still (or even to remain in the cinema!!). But the big girls enjoyed it!

5. zoo

6. pizza night with friends

7. Sovereign Hill

8. breakfast at our local cafe - yep! Twice...ahhh starting the day with a good coffee makes such a big difference.

9. Intensity (video arcade)

10. bushwalking + picnic

So that was 5 of the planned activities - might not sound too good, but the daytrip to Sovereign Hill was voluntarily traded in for 3 days in Sale...which was so much fun!!
And here's what else we got up to...

Sale Aquatic Centre

made some raspberry frozen yoghurt

let them loose with experiemental cooking

played...aww nice :-)

homemade lemonade (yick!)

scooter track

and of course - the hottie exhibition

Lots of trips to the park too..but amazingly we didn't make it to the museum this time (oh well)

So, sadly that's the end of these hols - back to normality tomorrow.
but we did have fun :-)

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 278 - hooray for a bloggy break!

2011-07-16T19:50:00.000+10:00

Playing along with the grateful linky over at Aunty Maxabella's this week - who apparently managed to find it in her heart to be grateful that her house now looks like mine:

But despite the fact that this is truely-rooly what my kiddos do to my house when my back is turned I too am so grateful for school holidays and all the fun and choas they provide :-)

I am also grateful for a little bloggy break...but I'll catch you up on all the details tomorrow.

But for now I'm going to grab a cuppa and pop 'round to all my friends and see what they are grateful for too.

have a great weekend everyone...
xxxCate

Day 270 - {this moment} hottie exhibition

2011-07-08T22:40:00.000+10:00

My friday photo(s)...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...

inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

If you are in melbourne and looking for an activity to do with the kids these holidays then I can highly recommend the Great Hottie Challenge Exhibition (fundraiser for the Margaret Pratt foundation). Such a lot of fun!!

Here are some of my faves :-)

by Curly Pops

by Foxs Lane

by Posie Patchwork

and at the end you could vote (with a little donation) for your favourite - apparently Meerkat liked everyone!!

have a great weekend...
xxxCate

Day 266 - Cate loves... Maxabella

2011-07-04T20:56:00.004+10:00

Yes I am shamelessly posting about Maxabella's giveaway to end all giveaways just to get extra entries!! So enter her giveaway - cos it is completely unreal!!!

But while I'm at it I thought I would take this opportunity to say a little thank you to the lovely lady who stops and reminds us all to be grateful for all we have, at least once a week.

So here we go

Once upon a time there was a little girl called Maxabella who had a very pretty little blog full of lovely pickies that made her smile. True, it wasn't instantly the outlandish hit it is these day - even Maxabella started out small. In fact she was once heard to comment:

Hi Jess - I was embarassed to put a 'followers' button as - only have two (probably my mum and my sister!) But lured by the thought of a 50% increase, I'll put it up just for you!

And look, here she is a mere year and a bit later with the whopper follower population of 1000.

So what does one do with all this power and popularity? Hmmm the mind boggles.

Well she throws gorgeous parties (like this one and this one) with so much imagination and fun (and just a wee hint of OCD) and then shares them with us.
She gives us wonderful advice on how to deal with difficult people (like rude bastards)
She makes us feel better about ourselves by revealing some of her more misguided teenage moments
And every now and then she writes impulsive little things like "I like secrets" and gets far more than she bargained for

So congratulations Maxabella on 1000 followers. You have always shown me so much bloggy-love and genuine friendship and I am forever grateful that I met you here in this funny online world.
Here's to lots more pretty pickies with uncreditable sources.
And to the next 1000 followers.
xxxCate

PS: I'm off now for 10 days (although I might pop in for {this moment} on Friday if I feel like it) ...see y'all soon :-)

Day 265 - 100 days to go!!

2011-07-03T11:21:00.000+10:00

Well, I'm at the 100 day count-down. 100 days left to be as productive as can be.

Time for a bucket list I think.

image from here

What do I wish to achieve in my last 100 days??

(yeah yeah, I know the first couple a bit mundane, but I've come to learn that keeping the house running smoothly actually makes me feel better - so it may not be glamorous, but it's good for me :-))

1. get to the bottom of the washing/folding/put away pile - *just once*

2. keep on top of the dishes for one whole week

3. finish the 5 PIF gifts

4. finish Meerkat's jumper

5. put up the calendar (yes, I am aware it's July, but it's still just slid in behind the bread keeper)

6. fix the broken slat on Monkey's bed

7. finish the playroom

8. finish unpacking all those pesky moving boxes I've been hiding in the garage.

9. come up with another family charity goal last year's give-away-a-day

10. take the girls to the park/library at least once a week

11. go out to dinner with hubby at least 3 times

12. continue with weekly meal planning and preparation

13. Call my brother in the US

14. Join (or at least find out about joining) a sports team - netball??

15. settle on a theme for xmas

16. make a cover for the tv (you know out of sight out of mind)

17. hang out on the beach with my kids

18. stay in a caravan

19. introduce a techno-free day into each week

20. take a short bloggy break

I'm actually going to start with the last one. But not right away. Tomorrow I'm going to do a little post devoted to Maxabella. Partly because I love her - but kinda mostly cos I want all those extra entries in her giveaway to end all giveaways (tee hee!!).

But then (barring unforeseen bloggynecessities) I will be out for 10 days.

You know the drill - help Keep Cate Busy!!

anything else I should do with my time??

thanks for reading for 265 days!!
xxxCate

Day 264 - hooray for work experience students

2011-07-02T09:29:00.000+10:00

I would love to go on and on about Maxabella and her grateful linky, but I'm going to save that for later - because goodness knows I want those extra entries in her give-away to end all give-aways (so watch this space for a post devoted to all things maxabella!!)

image not related - just waaaaant :-)

Last day of term yesterday! Phew! I had organised a mini sports carnival for the preps to end the term with a bit of fun - work for me, but fun for them :-)

So imagine my surprise and delight to be handed not one, but two work experience students for the day! Oh caloo calay, two keen little poppets from a local high school. Bless their cotton socks.

So today I am grateful for work experience students. Long may they be sent my way!

Check out maxabella loves for the full list of grateful things for today :-)

have a great weekend...
xxxCate

Day 263 - {this moment} 'helping'

2011-07-01T20:37:00.000+10:00

My friday photo...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...

inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

yep, that's a spring form cake tin she's wearing :-)

have a great weekend...

xxxCate

Day 262 - my serendipitous ticket to blogopolis

2011-06-30T18:57:00.001+10:00

Thanks to me screwing up dates and not actually having the big girls booked in for the holiday program I thought I'd organised for my work days this week - and being wonderfully rescued by friends instead - I have some money left in the kitty I was not expecting to have!

Oh caloo calay.

So it turns out I'm going to Blogopolis after all - yipee!!

Are you going? Do I know you yet? Leave me a comment introducing yourself and I'll pop by your blog for a pre-blogopolis visit.

this is me by the way (you know, on the other side of the camera) :-)

thx Meerkat for the snaps!!

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

Day 261 - (almost) Wordless Wednesday: Meerkat's-eye view

2011-06-29T21:02:00.000+10:00

Ever wondered what the world looks like to an inquisitive 2 year old?

Well this is what the world looks like to my little Meerkat...

totally made me laugh!

love that girl...just sayin' :-)

for more wordless fun pop over to faith, hope & a whole lotta love

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

Day 260 - ever tried to plait fairy floss??

2011-06-28T21:02:00.001+10:00

Managed to grab an hour of playtime with the girls tonight between finishing work, doing some homey-type jobs and bedtime. And tonight apparently was the night for playing hairdressers :-)

So I took one for the team and let Meerkat brush my hair (I hope my medal for bravery is in the post!).

Meanwhile the big girls got into the ribbons/elastics/scrunchies/headband box

And proceeded to go wild

Never to be sidelined - Meerkat wanted in on the action

like I said - ever tried to plait fairy floss??

too sweet - and just a bit of good simple fun that I can sit here and smile about :-)

Making memories is so lovely
thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 259 - Cate Bolt: voice for the voiceless

2011-06-27T21:12:00.000+10:00

image from here

I've been thinking a lot about being voiceless lately. Literally.

And while I have been struggling with my voicelessness (and a few other little health issues), and am trying not to feel sorry for myself. And today I remembered why - I am not voiceless. I may have no voice in real life, but here on the internet I can still shout.

So tonight I'd like to give a shout out for Cate Bolt.

Since I joined twitter I discovered this powerhouse of a woman. Among her amazing feats she has set up a group home for orphaned girls and an education outreach sponsorship program for disavantaged children in Indonesia.

I can't even organise my supermarket shopping list effectively!!!

So are you impressed?
Are you moved by her generosity of human spirit?
Do you have $5 to spare?

Good. Because right now she is trying to raise enough money to buy uniforms for the students her fund supports. As of 8pm tonight she had raised enough money through her twitter followers to fund 12 uniforms. But they still need 18 more.

So click here and donate to Project18 - you'll feel all warm and fuzzy I promise :-)

It's time to make like superheros.

Put your underpants on the outside - we've got a freakin' world to save"

-- Cate Bolt, Project 18 President

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

PS: this is not a sponsored post in any way shape or form. Nobody asked me to write it. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own :-)

Day 258 - Team Busy holiday bucket list

2011-06-26T20:47:00.000+10:00

Starting to plan our holidays - yay!!

I actually have quite a bit of guilt over how the last holidays panned out, so although I'm aware that life has ups and downs and even kiddos need to roll with the punches, I would like to do some fun stuff this time around :-)

So here's what we've come up with so far:

image from here

1. I have really bad caravan envy - would still so love to go caravaning

2. 10 pin bowling

3. ice skating

4. movies

5. zoo

6. pizza night with friends

7. Sovereign Hill (we'll see!!)

8. breakfast at our local cafe

9. Intensity (video arcade)

10. bushwalking + picnic

I think (maybe with the exception of Sovereign Hill...) we can do all these things no probs!!

We'll probably go to the museum as well (just cos!) and of course many trips to the park...Any other suggestions??

thanks for reading
xxxCate

Day 257 - hooray for me and my gal

2011-06-25T20:21:00.000+10:00

Playing along with your friend and mine the always groovy Maxabella

Today I'm grateful for my big girl - Snowbear ♥

Had lunch with my good friend Nic today after her book signing at Southland shopping centre. I had planned on going alone, but decided at the last minute to take along my big girl. And I'm so glad I did - we had such a nice time together.

Just chatting, and holding hands and being together. She is growing up so fast, but she's still such a little sweety :-)

I love my little Snowbear.

For more saturday gratefuls pop over to Maxabella loves and check 'em out

have a great weekend
xxxCate

Day 256 - {this moment} mummy's turn

2011-06-24T19:10:00.000+10:00

My friday photo...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...
inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

I must admit that quite often I'm that mum sitting on the bench at the park with a coffee saying "yes, I *am* watching"...but this week I just felt like joining in! I didn't do too badly - although my big girls are definitely waaaay better at it :-)

hope you all have a great weekend!

xxxCate

Day 255 - 10 pin bowling night

2011-06-23T23:25:00.000+10:00

image from here

This post is quite late because I've been out bowling! The proper kind - 10 pin bowling (not that other kind that I was crap at and so naturally hate!!).

It was a works outing, and it was so much fun :-)

Bowling, beer and dinner afterwards. What's more meaningful that fun with friends?

Night all!
xxxCate

Day 254 - jog around the blogs {brag edition}

2011-06-22T19:44:00.003+10:00

image from here

Now, those who know me know that I am *very* uncomfortable accepting praise (and a good bloggy friend of mine will attest to the fact that I was acting very strangely last night under the pressure of feeling so exposed by my post). So when people started praising me in the comments of my post last night my first reaction was to cry out

"But that wasn't the point!"

It wasn't supposed to be about me. I was just modelling the behaviour I hoped you would all try because I really believe we have the right to be proud of ourselves AND SAY SO. I didn't do it so people would say nice things.

But then something very interesting happened. Something very unexpected. I realised that if you were saying nice things, it was because you didn't mind me having a brag. Perhaps it was the point...

Take note of that dear readers. Did you think I was a stuck-up cow because I was bragging? Or did you see that I was genuinely proud of myself? And do you know what - when you brag (for genuine reasons) your friends don't mind either. They are proud for you - and this was highlighted by Miss Mandy and kporter81's comments.

Don't feel shy about bragging amongst friends. Your friends want to share your good fortune and your hard earned achievements. Don't bottle them up and think no-one wants to hear it - because we do, dear friends, we do :-)

So my jog around the blogs this week is dedicated to the achievements of some of bloggy friends. Some of these posts are quite old, but they have stuck with me - and I think the bloggers who wrote these posts should be genuinely proud of themselves:

My good friend Nic at Planning with Kids because she wrote a book! A whole book! Seriously!
Kate at Foxslane who inspired me to try knitting and after she only recently took it up
Kymmie because I know she's been feeling a bit flat lately but she still makes an effort to always looks so lovely
Maxabella for being brave enough to admit to an emabarassing teenage mistake and sharing it with us for a giggle (thank you!!)
Posie who showed the most amazing amount of forgiveness and understanding.
Multiple Mum for really putting her money where her mouth is and living the Buy Nothing New Year
And I will never stop being proud of Becky for reaching out for support when PND hit...

and bear in mind this is just a small sample of all the amazing bloggy-goodness out there!!

So dear friends, have you read any lovely posts lately? And which bloggers make you proud to know them?

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 253 - a bloggy brag

2011-06-21T17:11:00.001+10:00

A conversation the other day with a couple of bloggers on the difference between bragging and showing-off has left me thinking a lot about the value of a good brag.
My take on the whole thing ended up being that bragging is okay. In fact it's more than okay - it's great! Why don't we do more of it. Aussie's seem to be biologically predisposed to feeling bad about bragging - but why?

image from here

I say "embrace the brag"

But - let me stress the difference between bragging and showing off!
Bragging is to shout about something you are genuinely proud of - to make yourself feel good about an achievement.
Showing-off is to make someone else feel bad.

So I challenge you to join me in a great big bloggy brag! Tell me about something you've done that you're genuinely proud of - or even better leave me a link to something great you've blogged about so I can come and see it for myself.

Here's my offering: I organised a team for the MS walk/run and we raised $860 (top fundraiser was Mandy!!). I know I've blogged about it, but it's something I wanted to do, didn't think I would be bothered but did do - and do you know what? I'm genuinely proud of myself! Plus is was a really fun day (bonus!!)

Your turn - what are you genuinely proud of?

thanks for bragging
xxxCate

Day 252 - Roast beef

2011-06-20T22:26:00.001+10:00

Oh sweet mercy, it's finally happened! My girls ate red meat that was something other than mince! Yes it happened last night, but it's such an amazing achievement surely I can bask in it's meaningful glory for 24 hours?

(Amazingly this is the first time I've ever made a roast beef - roast chook, I've made thousands - but never beef. So I didn't quite get the timing right so yes, I know the veges are a bit Gordoned*)

Other yummy's on our weeks menu include:

do-it-yourself tacos
pumpkin soup
shepherd's pie and
homemade chicken nuggets

Hope you find some inspiration in here for your weeks worth of family cooking :-)

thanks for reading
xxxCate

*Gordoned: as in Gordon Ramsay "if it's brown it's cooked, if it's black it's fooked"

Day 251 - {fancy pants} is getting new shoes meaningful?

2011-06-19T15:23:00.000+10:00

oh, why the heck not??
So my meaningful thing for today was to use my oh-so-wonderful ECCO voucher (which I squealed about here) for some neeeew shoes! (something of a rare event around my house)

Unfortunately the elegant black top boots I was planning on just didn't fit (think puss-in-boots)
so here's what I got...

ankle boots

like 'em? I do. They've even got a little bit of a heel so I do look a bit grown up in them. And yes, it does make a nice change from runners or cons

So thank you, thank you, thank you Kellie from Three Little Princesses (and of course ECCO)

To see what other, far more posh, people are getting dressed up in today pop over to Fancy Pants at Kymmie's place

hope you had a fun weekend
xxxCate

PS: if you haven't followed me on twitter yet, why not???

Day 250 - hooray for a chat

2011-06-18T06:37:00.000+10:00

Playing along with Maxabella this week - who is grateful for oranges this week (at least she won't get scurvy!!) - oh and snickers...mmmmmm

image from here

Greatful for friends and their good company this week - where would we be without our friends...

Joined up the fun and endless chit chat that is twitter this week. I thought it was about time that I gave another form of social media a go - and 140 character max seemed like my style! Thankyou so much to all the lovely people who retweeted my call to find my friends and to the wonderful 75 people who followed me on my first day out. I feel so fortunate to have such great online friends :-)
Also greatful for IRL friends this week. To a lovely catchup with Bec (from Julius King Designs blog) and some other mummy friends from school.
And for a lovely afternoon yesterday with the teacher I had the altercation with last term - amazing what a difference some time away from each other can make to our general levels of friendliness.

Well, that's my week...what are you grateful for? Link up to Maxabella and I'll probably be around very soon to find out :-)

have a great weekend
xxxCate

Day 249 - {this moment} true blue

2011-06-17T22:00:00.003+10:00

My friday photo...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...
inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

Reminiscing this week - a moment from the archives - from my all time favourite series of photos I've ever taken of my little Meerkat

Such a little aussie chickie

have a great weekend everyone
xxxCate

Day 248 - how private is your blog?

2011-06-16T22:17:00.001+10:00

image from here

Just thinking out loud tonight as I set up my @keepcatebusy twitter profile (at long last) - oh yes, that was *hint hint* follow me on twitter pretty please!!!

I'm not talking about whether you discuss personal things on your blog, but rather do you write as though no one is watching. I do. Or at least, I feel like I'm writing just for my friends. But a couple of times lately I had funny things happen that have made me remember that this stuff goes on the internet - and anyone could be reading it. It all makes you feel a little like you're being watched...

Now these things haven't been bad things, just a little odd if you ask me.

The first was when I published my silly bunnies post - yep see that one down there on my bestest busy posts lists. It's on the top. And it will forever more be on the top of that list. Turns out that if you mention (even in passing, and even in a not-so-nice way) a certain manufacturer of premade cake frosting (that shall remain nameless for fear of doing it again) - they might just post your link (including your photos - no persmission asked) on their facebook wall.

That particular post had 8,544 hits in total. Which, I don't know about you guys, but that's a flippin' lot of hits for me!!

The second slightly uncomforatable thing was the other day when I did a twitter search for keepcatebusy - and found some random cooking tweep had tweeted my cooking up a storm post - and I didn't know anything about it.

Is it just me, or is that a little bit weird??

How about you? Do you forget that there is a big (and slightly weird) world out there when you're blogging? And does it worry it you at all?

And yep, getting on twitter was my productive thing for the day :-)
so follow me pretty please (@keepcatebusy)
xxxCate

Day 247 - jog around the blogs {lap 6}

2011-06-15T22:00:00.002+10:00

Right, I've done another lap around the blogosphere (and I'm not even puffing!!) - and here's what I've found this week...

What to read

This is the bit where I give you my fave post of the week, and this one just made me feel all warm and fuzzy! Such a fab idea!

(And if you haven't read the link on this post to Eden's post - you must! It's the most amazingly inspired act I've ever read!!)

Wanderlust: Gauging Interest

What I love at Pinterest
planning a circus party at the moment...

image from here

What to enter

My Little Drummer Boys - Pinocchio Blu-Ray/DVD giveaway

My Little Drummer Boys - ECCO Shoes Giveaway

Me 'n My Monkeys - System Mechanic Computer Software Giveaway

Seven Cherubs - Agoo Kids Wear $50 voucher Giveaway

Kate Says Stuff - Alice in Wonderland Blu-Ray/DVD Giveaway
Diary of Joni and Anya - Alice in Wonderland Blu-Ray/DVD Giveaway
Posie Patchwork - Paper party bags, stickers and twine giveaway (yum!)

AND

Gifts of Serendipity - Jewels to Giveaway
AND
becky and james - Nutty Giveaway!!!!!

What else?

Let me know if there's anything else exciting going on this week that I've missed and I'll add it to the list :-)

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

Day 246 - "kids need to learn to be bored"

2011-06-14T21:48:00.000+10:00

Picked up this gem of a line from a tv show called grumpy old women ages ago and it has stuck with me ever since.

It's just so true!

Sometimes you just have to stop with the organising and the setting up of activities and just leave them to it.

And I've been so busy with my own stuff these past few weeks, my kiddos have had lots of opportunities to just be bored - and find out where their imaginations can take them.

Here's some glorious examples of what I have been finding...

chalk mural down the side of the house

colouring

peg patterns

playdoh cooking

just playing dollies

I love watching them play :-)

Do you ever just dare to leave your kids to it??
And what do they get up to when your back is turned??

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 245 - written, proofed and uploaded

2011-06-13T23:43:00.000+10:00

reports all done...very sleepy now...see you all tomorrow :-)

xxxCate

Day 244 - trip to the museum

2011-06-12T21:26:00.000+10:00

We finally made it to the Tutankhamun exhibition. It was amazing - even Meerkat enjoyed running up to each cabinet looking at all the amazing treasures. The older girls were capitvated. Monkey had been before (on a school excursion) so was able to give her running commentary as we moved around.

Unfortunately is was very crowded inside. But it didn't matter - it was still amazing. The number of artefacts on display gave you a real sense of the scale of what must have greeted Carter and his team when it was first uncovered.

And what visit to the museum would be complete without a play in the children's gallery afterwards. Fortunately this part of the museum was deserted (everyone was obviously still queueing for tutankhamun!)
So plenty of space for us to play :-)

looking forward to our extra day of weekend rest!!
xxxCate

Day 243 - hooray for nearly there

2011-06-11T21:09:00.002+10:00

image from here

I'm nearly finished my report writing!

I promise, by the end of this weekend I will stop being a hermit and make it up to everyone! I will drop by for a visit and a chat...

Just a couple more days :-)

see you all very soon - I promise!!!
xxxCate

PS: for those of you who have been asking - I nearly have my speaking voice back (thank goodness) - but I'm still struggling with projection (so still teaching with a bullhorn)...but at least that's progress :-)

Day 242 - {this moment} priceless delight

2011-06-10T20:30:00.002+10:00

My friday photo...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...
inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

Wiggles ride - $2
delight on the face of the birthday girl - priceless

have a great weekend everyone
(and a great long weekend if you're here in melb!!)
xxxCate

PS: if I leave a comment on your {this moment} post as 'anonymous' it's because Blogger is still being a very naughty boy!!

Day 241 - Meerkat is nearly new

2011-06-09T20:31:00.000+10:00

when I was one, I had just begun,

when I was two, I was nearly new...

Dear Meerkat,
I love your hilarious sense of humour
I love your independence
I love how much you idolise your big sisters
I love that you love to sing and dance
I love to watch you play
I love to watch you sleep
I love that you are in our lives
Happy Birthday precious Meerkat
I love you so much
xxxMummy

Day 240 - jog around the blogs {lap 5}

2011-06-08T19:15:00.002+10:00

Right, I've done another lap around the blogosphere (and I'm not even puffing!!) - and here's what I've found this week...

What's new

Kerryn at Porter Reporter has the newest blog on the block (just 2 posts old). So why not drop by and give her a little bloggy love!

What to read

This is the bit where I give you my fave post of the week. Now I know you think you've got enough to read, but seriously, click on the links in this post (especially of you have daughters) - you will be forever changed, and hopefully, empowered:

Drop it and Eat - Are You Pretty?

What I love at Pinterest
thinking about cubby houses at the moment...

image

What to enter
Retromummy - Win a Fisher Price Kid Tough Camera
Retromummy - Viva Wipes Giveaway
Kate Says Stuff - Win Mr Men on DVD
Nellbe's Gluten Free Kitchen - Alive in Wonderland DVD/BluRay Giveaway
the diary of Joni and Anya - Win Alice in Wonderland BluRay + DVD Pack
Yay for Home - We Love Colours tights Giveaway
More than a Mummy - Kmart $100 Giftcard Giveaway
Seven Cherubs - Gnomeo and Juliet DVD Giveaway
AND...
Gifts of Serendipity - Jewels to giveaway

What else?

Let me know if there's anything else exciting going on this week that I've missed and I'll add it to the list :-)

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

Day 239 - Fancy Pants Meerkat style

2011-06-07T20:09:00.001+10:00

Playing along with Kymmie at a day in the life of us this week...but in a slightly quirky way.

Every thursday when Meerkat and I go in to school for pickup and we stay for a play. And every thursday Meerkat's little friend is there - and she looks divine! She could have stepped out of an English perfect cherub magazine.
Little boots, little pea coat, divine little skirts and peddle pushers - I mean just beautiful.
Meerkat, meanwhile is usually still in her polar fleece sleepsuit because I've had to drag the poor blighter from her slumber to get her there on time. Every week I think that I really should make more of an effort. But it looks like I've missed my window...

yep, Meerkat the amazingly advanced toddler has decided she wants to dress herself now - and the results are...
...interesting??

Well you be the judge!

can't tell you how proud she was!!

yes, certainly looks much better with the orange crocs!!

Lucky she's my third or I might have been worried!!

How about you, do you worry if your kids clothes don't match - or do you choose to pick other battles?

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 237 - cooking up a storm

2011-06-06T22:12:00.000+10:00

Yep, I went off on another cooking bender this afternoon - the meal planning/preparation thing has been working so well for me in terms of freeing up my hectic evenings that I'm sticking with it.

So here's my working week's worth:
Monday: Tacos (gone...yum)

Tuesday: Pumpkin soup (in the fridge already - and not very inspiring looking as I haven't blended it up yet)

Wednesday: Gluten free Quiche

Thursday: chicken and pumpkin risotto (still cooking away happily in the slow cooker)

Friday: take away fish & chips (yay!!)

Snack: gluten free brownies (trusty packet mix)

So how's all that sound?

Right your turn - what make-ahead-of-time meals to you make? Give me some recommendations - I'm planning on sticking with this idea for some time - so please help me out!!

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

Day 236 - MS Fun Run/Walk

2011-06-05T18:43:00.009+10:00

Thank you so much to everyone who walked/ran with me today - and a big thank you to everyone who sponsored the Melbourne Bloggers Team!

Together (including some last minute donations) we raised ~~$725~~ ~~$750~~ ~~$760~~ $860!!

Wow!! I am so excited :-)

So big huge thank you to:

Bec from Julius King Designs,

Del from SuperRelish, and

Mandy from A Little Space Like Home

(plus Mandy's friend Kerryn - blog name to be advised (we talked
her into it over lunch!!)). update: Kerryn's blog is Porter Reporter - drop by and say hi!!

And of course Naomi from Under the Yardarm and Melissa from A Great Balancing Act who both had to pull out because of injury/illness - but we're still keeping their money :-)

a sea of RED!!!

thanks Melbourne for the gorgeous day!

Me, Del and Bec at the finish line

Mandy, Me and Del - afterwards at the pub :-)

did I mention we raised ~~$725~~ ~~$750~~ ~~$760~~ $860!!

hope you all had a great weekend too!!
xxxCate

PS: I should also mention that Del walked with a 15kg pack on her back because she is training to walk the Kokoda Trail! Seriously impressive!!

PPS: how's this for 6 degrees of separation - I know Bec from our girls' school, Bec knows Del from their girls' ballet, and Del knows Mandy from high school! Too funny :-)

Day 235 - hooray for a little time out

2011-06-04T07:43:00.001+10:00

Playing along with the always lovely Maxabella loves...

image

And this week I'm grateful to have taken the time to have a little rest. I really needed it! I've missed all my bloggy friends, but something had to give or I was heading for a physical collapse! I really was that tired.

But not anymore. I've had lots of early nights. Lots of sitting on the couch watching Qi. Lots of reading with my girls. And yes, lots of report writing.

But now I'm back! And I look forward to catching up on all your news - especially from those lovely bloggers who will be able to tell me their news in person tomorrow at the MS fun run/walk!

have a great weekend everyone
xxxCate

PS: if I visit your grateful post this weekend and leave my comment as anonymous, it is just because Blogger has a giant stick up it's...

Day 234 - {this moment} swimming graduate

2011-06-03T21:31:00.001+10:00

My friday photo...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...
inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

The swim school where my kiddos go have a graduation program - after which you stop lessons and start squad. Once they qualify to graduate they have to swim 40 laps - which Snowbear did tonight in just over 20 minutes! It is really celebrated - all the staff come and watch the kids finish and everyone cheers - and the graduates are so proud. And tonight Snowbear is so proud (and so is her mum!!)

have a great weekend...
xxxCate

PS: if I've been to visit your 'moment' and left my comment as anonymous - it's because Blogger hates me!!!!!

Day 233 - Calling all Melb Bloggers

2011-06-01T21:07:00.004+10:00

Hi again all - yes, I'm back from my little hibernation! Oh I so needed a rest. We went to Adel for the weekend for my grandmother's 90th birthday, which included two parties, dinner with the wonderful cousins, two 5am starts to make early flights, and 5hours of travel time on monday morning (due to Melb airport being fogged in).

Add to that the fact that I have nearly 400 reports to write - and I still have no voice (after 4 weeks plus gp and speech path visits - next stop the ENT). I'm whacked!

In fact after I put up that post on Sat I promptly put my head on the kitchen table and fell asleep for 40mins while waiting for the wonderful cousins to arrive (yes, it was *that* bad!!).

So now for the plan for Sunday!! If you didn't already know I am walking in the MS fun walk/run this sunday - and we have a Melbourne Bloggers Team. So if you live in Melbourne you have two options:

1. join our team and come with us!!! (and don't forget to wear red)
2. join us at 12:30pm for lunch at the Rising Sun Hotel in South Melbourne afterwards!! (let me know if you are joining us so I can book a table)

If you don't live in Melbourne you can still join in the fun by sponsoring our team - just click on the link and follow the simple instructions.

Melbourne Bloggers Team
Click here to join and/or donate

Hope to see as many of you lovely Melbourne Bloggers as possible :-)

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 232 - just too tired

2011-05-28T18:38:00.001+10:00

image from here

Sorry guys, I'm just too tired to play along this weekend...need a little rest.
Will be back in a few days :-)

see you all then...
xxxCate

Day 231 - {this moment} slow-motion knitting

2011-05-27T22:10:00.001+10:00

My friday photo...a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...
inspired by Soule Mama's {this moment}

As promised - my world's slowest knitting project. But every single stitch was knitted with love for Meerkat - so that's what truely counts :-)

have a great weekend everyone
xxxCate

Day 230 - do you make the time?

2011-05-27T00:22:00.000+10:00

I have come to realise that as much as I want to make and create and imagine and experience - I am forever putting these pursuits behind the mundane day-to-day tasks that NEVER END!

Today was my fortnightly thursday craft group - I love my craft group!! But if it wasn't for this day, once a fortnight, I wouldn't do anything crafty at the moment. Now I'm not suggesting I'm making huge progress on Meerkat's jumper (infact it's only about 15cm long so far) - but every_single_stitch has been knitted by my two hands. And I love the feeling of that accomplishment.

So why do I never make the time?

Why does it always get relegated to last place?

I mean, even this blog post about my lovely knitting has had to wait until 12:22am and I can't even muster the energy to photograph it for you viewing pleasure.

Maybe it's just me - but I can't seem to make the time...oh how I long to be Soule Mama

how about you - how do you make the time for the artistic pursuits that give you joy and pride?

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

PS: I'll try to photograph my knitting tomorrow so you can see my progress :-)

Day 229 - jog around the blogs {lap 4}

2011-05-25T20:26:00.009+10:00

Right, I've done another lap around the blogosphere (and I'm not even puffing!!) - and here's what I've found this week...

What to support

*** Melbourne Bloggers Team ***

Calling all Melbourne Bloggers - come and join our team!!

We are walking and running - so choose your speed and choose your distance - and we'll all get together after the event for our own event :-) Just click on the link and join in the fun!

But if you don't live in Melbourne - don't feel left out...just sponsor us! Go on, spot us $5, $10, $1000, you know, what ever you've got lying around :-)

The average age of MS diagnosis is 30

MS affects three times more women than men

What to read
this is such a special post I want to share it all with you - it is everything I want for my children (and we should all want for ourselves too)

Rosie Molinary - We are all just different kinds of pretty

What I love at pinterest
this week I've been 'trolling pinterest for inspiration for Meerkat's upcoming birthday - these picks are courtesy of the mad pinning addiction of another donkey design

image from homemade by jill

image from brandys crafts

image from desire to inspire
(no, but it would be nice!!)

What to enter
The Truth About Mummy - Hannah Montana Forever giveaway
Muddled Up Mumma - Sunny Mummy membership giveaway
Seven Cherubs - Tangled DVD giveaway
Nellbe's Gluten Free Kitchen Table - Lemonade Mouth DVD giveaway
(my girls will kill me if I *DIDN'T* enter this one!!)

And this helpful post by Claire Hewitt sums up a whole stack more I didn't know about :-)

What else?

Let me know if there's anything else exciting going on this week that I've missed and I'll add it to the list :-)

thanks for reading...

xxxCate

Day 228 - finally, proof that I'm mad!

2011-05-24T21:33:00.000+10:00

Back on Day 148 I remembered how good it felt to be silly by braving the giant swing on school camp. But I didn't have the photos to prove it!

Well now, thanks to one of the dads that was there on school camp with us - I finally have the proof!!

Just to set the scene, here's a reminder of what this is:

Basically (she says casually) it's three 17m poles; two side by side with the harness suspended between them, and one out in front with a pulley hooked up to it that pulls you up to the 17m height. Once up there you pull the rip cord to release yourself from the front pole (as you do from 17m!!!) and you then swing (fling!) like a pendulum between the two side-by-side poles until you run out of momentum.

yes, he's pushing me!

slow down, slow down!! not so high! argh!!

yep, I pulled the cord!

(no swearing, I promise!!)

wheeeeeee

really good view from up there :-)

So there we go - I might be mad, but it was sooooo much fun :-)

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 227 - packet mix

2011-05-23T21:18:00.000+10:00

While trying to un-circus my life last night (yes, making up verbs does amuse me!!) I tried something I haven't done in longer than I can remember - I used a packet mix!

One of my daughter's on-going dietary complications has meant that I have steered away from anything that might have any colours, flavours or preservatives in it - just to be on the safe side. But now with a firm diagnosis of fructose intolerance I have the dietician's permission to bake with gluten-free packet mixes.

(just as well considering the batch of gluten-free choc chip and banana muffins I made at easter were, shall we say, moooshy - yummy, but had to be eaten with a spoon - Nellbe...heeeeelp!)

So I tried out the Macro freefrom chocolate brownie mix - really really easy! It was a "just add marg and eggs" type thing. Bit of microwaving, bit of mixing, into the oven and Bob's your uncle...

hey presto, chocolate brownies!!

and not a nervous breakdown in sight :-)

thanks for reading...
xxxCate

Day 226 - trying to un-circus my life

2011-05-22T23:21:00.000+10:00

image from here

Yes, my life at the moment is a circus - and as Maxabella so rightly points out too much juggling is no good and we need to let go a little sometimes and put the balls down!

But let's do a quick survey, shall we - hands up who's not juggling at the moment...

...crickets...

that's what I thought.

So, if I can't let anything go - I need to figure out a way to reorganise it so it's not such an ongoing, slow motion train smash all the time.

So this week I'm trying something new. Instead of just meal planning, I've meal planned *and* meal prepared. Yep, I've cooked an entire working week's worth of meals.

MON: nacho jacket potatoes
TUES: quiche & salad
WED: spaghetti bolognaise
THURS: pumpkin soup
FRI: slowcooker beef
SNACK: gluten free brownies

plus there's the slow cooker (still on) and the gluten free brownies...mmm

My goal is to free up some evening time, a time where I seem to be absolutely exhausted at the moment.

Have you ever tried this?

Any other suggestions on how to un-circus your life??

Will let you know how it goes :-)
thanks for reading...
xxxCate