Excuse me, I think your bone is showing.

What a weekend. My friend Vyc and I have decided Sundays don't work for us anymore. Take last Sunday for instance : David nearly killed me and Bear ended up in Accident and Emergency. Good times I tell ya.


This is a pic of Susie and I before my near death experience and Bears trip to the hospital. I look happy and relaxed cos I have no idea what is around the corner.
Weekends at the moment consist of David either demolishing parts of the house or laying new floor boards in other parts of the house. I help enormously by interrupting him with stupid questions or telling him off because I think he hasn't really "understood the brief for the new design". Its no surprise he cranks up his classical music and goes off to his happy place essentially ignoring me, the children and anything not involving this reno.
Last Sunday I was taking him a cup of tea (cos I'm an awesome wife ) out to the section of flooring he was working on. As I stepped out onto the board he moved it... we live in an elevated house just so you know. My life flashed before my eyes (and it was boring ) luckily I did manage to throw myself forward and fall onto some flooring thus avoiding falling from the second floor and onto the clotheslines below (death by peg).
After some yelling and crying (bet you cant guess by who) I suggested to him that from now on he get his own drinks.

Sunday afternoon Bear went to his mates house (I keep my children very close and this is probably only the 2nd time he has been to his mates place all year) for a catch up with his friends. About an hour after dropping him off I get a phone call saying he had cut his leg on a pushbike and needed to go to the hospital. Awesome.
Bear and I sat at the hospital from 5pm till 8.30pm then we saw a doctor who explained lots of stitches would be needed as "there was bone exposed" She also mentioned that heavy sedation may be required depending on how well the stitching was going ... she also felt the need to tell me all the possible things that could go wrong with heavy sedation. It was a toss up between Bear and I as to who was the more horrified with our circumstances at this point . I immediately called David as I didn't sign up to do that (parenting) malarkey on my own. Of course by the time David got back up to the hospital the (multiple) needles had been stuck into the cut, many tears had been shed (by both Bear and I) and the Dr was wandering around getting organised to actually do the stitching. David walked into the room and nearly fainted after looking at Bears open wound... Bear and I laughed at him.
Long story slightly shorter we ended up leaving the hospital about 9.30pm driving through Maccas for a bit of post stitches recovery burgers and Coke Zero.

The next day was Bears birthday .... it rocked not. He stayed in bed watching dvds and when his mates and theirs Mum's bought a birthday cake over for afternoon tea he got annoyed he couldn't play table tennis with them. "Worst birthday Ever" were words mentioned A LOT.

If I did have one magic power it would be the ability to accident proof my kids and keep them in the pristine condition they were in when they were handed over to David and I.





What hope do I have of that when this is how teenage boy express their mateship with one another. That is Bears best mate (sporting a cast!) picking him up . Pass the bubble wrap STAT because I am a self confessed control freak helicopter parent... and so far it hasn't worked out that great. Any advice?

A review of sorts

Not a proper review mind not like David and Margaret with stars, just more like my thoughts on things I've watched and read lately.



Weeds Season 4. Oh how I would love to be Nancy Botwin. Without the drug dealing the dead husband and the being in love with a Mexican Underworld Boss. I would love her wardrobe, her body, her handbags and her never ending supply of caffeine products. This is how sad I am ... I saved my ice tea cup (with the straw and lid) from Zaraffa's for the express purpose of filling it with Coke Zero and ice and drinking it around the house a la Nancy Botwin ... pathetic much?
If you love great writing and killer plot lines grab any season of Weeds (be warned its filthy so make sure you are a grown up before you watch it) and enjoy a life a lot more complicated than your own.





We went as a family and saw Toy Story 3 at the moves and we all loved it. Its a classic and its funny as all get out. I cried at the end because one. its sad and two. I was thinking about how it was one of the first movies we took Bear to as a toddler (must have been no 2) and now he is ... well bigger than a toddler. The character of Ken,Barbies friend is hilarious and the ending kept us laughing for days.





I went and saw the third twilight movie and I found it much more interesting than the other two that isn't the huge endorsement it sounds like). The acting was much less wooden, Bella was sort of less whingey, Edward sort of maned up against Jakey , Tayor L spent a great amount of time with no shirt on, and I think I was the only person who liked the engagement ring. I did find it funny that Bella said yes I would love to marry you and spend the rest of time frozen and blood thirsty to one bloke and then 5 minutes later is pashing a wolf .Bit trampy don't you think Miss Bella?


I have a few questions about this film. Did it make you sad? Did you understand the ending? Am I the only person who wanted to break the DVD in half when it finished?



Love may happen but not for me and not for this film. If someone can explain what was good about this movie besides Jen's hair and wardrobe ( and cute car) please do. Jen disappoints me (she will be crushed to hear that I know) because hiding under that haircut is a great actress. Ive seen her in films (The Good Girl, She's the One) where she is interesting and engaging. Why she commits to crap like this annoys me but I'm sure the millions she gets paid to light up the screen and generally look great for an hour and 20 minutes eases her artistic concerns.

This is why movies use actors.

Invictus : I loved it. I could watch Matt Damon do anything. He had me at Good Will Hunting. Invictus is a feel good flick that is based on the true story of the Springboks winning the World Rugby Cup. Its not all rara action packed over the top sentiment either... and did I mention its got Matt Damon in rugby shorts. Its a winner.

For obvious reasons David got this DVD ages ago. I have only just got around to viewing it because unlike Mr Damon, Ms Jolie lost me at Mr and Mrs Smith (hussey). But I have to say Wanted is fantastic. Its a bit edgey and black and it has James Macavoy looking like this.


Whats not to love. Be warned its a grown up movie (especialy the first 5 minutes) and then it settles into a great action flick. Side Note this movie should have won the "Best use of a tattoo" award it was very cool even if Ang looks like she needs a meal more than the street kids in Invictus.


Lest you think all I do is lie around on weekends and watch the idiot box, don't fret I also lie around and read.

Lionel Shriver likes to hit you over the head with her characters when she introduces them. All her books I find hard going for the first third. Then she mellows and the story kicks in and by the end of tale you are feeling something like empathy for the characters you couldn't stand at the start. "So much for that" is no different. Shriver has a view of the American Health care system and its failings... she also has views on marriage and children and the human condition in general. I loved this book and was glad I stuck with it.

I'm not sure how you would feel about this book if you had a child with Aspergers . Jodi Picoult is the poor mans Anita Shreve and I found this book way to formulaic to be interesting. Its also far fetched ( I know its called fiction but come on). The story is about a young guy with Aspergers who is charged with the murder of his social skills tutor. The story is told from the point of view of 4 people. This gets boring fast as you experience the same details four times. I was left wondering if what Picoult describes is true for people with Aspergers as it seem a tad patronising at times.

Inspector Lynley may be back but he is boring as shite! This is the first book I have purchased from a book shop in about 6 years (remembering you left your 4 holiday reading books at home 5 minutes before you board a plane will cloud your judgement like that) and I was so cheesed off after coughing up my $30 bucks. This story is so boring. Its way too long and the plot doesn't make that much sense. The premise of the tale was good: what happens to the children who commit murder (such as James Bulgers murderers) when they have served their sentences and return to live in mainstream society. But that really interesting hook is buried in pages of waffle. I want my $30 back.

Things I have actually said this week

• "No you cant walk to your friends house (5Km from school) on your own. Ever".
  
  
• "Are you joking?" In response to Dave wanting to put this in his new office at home ... this is wrong on so many levels. Is it an office or a spare bedroom? Who wants to sleep in a pull down bed? Do we get sued if some idiot thinks its a cupboard and brains themselves by opening it?

• "Can he try these $200 runners on in size 9 Mens " Said to lady at sports shop whilst trying to find new runners for Bear.
• "Do you reckon we could wrap up a pair of runners as Bears Birthday Gift?" Said to David about 2 hours after purchasing said runners. Props to me for getting a discount because they were the last pair and the one on the shelf was slightly worn. Insert sarcastic tone here (and no I don't think its cool to spend ridiculous amounts on kids shoes... but with Bear he has certain school uniform requirements and we have bought the cheaper brands before and they never last so that is my story).

• "When I stop being pissed off at the world". In response to David asking me when I was going to use the handbags and shoes I got OS. His response "Fair enough" ;-0

• "Stop fighting with your sister/brother".

• " Your Dad and I love it when you are happy but think of this family as a Benevolent Dictatorship ... Dad and I were here first and when we say no we really mean it".

• "No I do not want to sell $50.00 worth of chocolate bars for a fundraiser... that just means I donate $50 for junk food we don't need".

• "No I cant spend a day at your school making costumes for the school play" This resulted in so many tears the next thing I said was...
• "Yes I will find a way to spend at least half a day at school making costumes for the school play".

• "You are not wearing those leggings/skirt/shorts/ shoes to school. Get changed please".

• "Just like I said yesterday, you are not wearing those leggings/shirt/shorts/shoes to school. Get changed please."

• "Because I said so!"

• " Never ... Is never a good time to attend that project management meeting with you?" Said to my boss (no one is immune to my cough wit cough).

• "No" in response to Bear asking if he and David were going to the snow next year to ski.
• "Yes" David's response to same question.

Its been a very long week in my world.

Singapore Zoo

was pretty disappointing!
I have been to the Zoo twice before as a teenager and it is one of the best childhood memories I have. I should have just left it at that rather than make everyone flog out to the Zoo on a 12 hour layover in Singers.

It didn't help that everyone was tired and we possibly ate horse or rabbit in our "chicken" burgers at lunch... but still the Zoo looks tired (and nothing in Singapore looks tired ... its vibrant and shiny and organised... on steroids).

The Zoo is expanding and so eventually the original Zoo will be updated (I hope). It was also sad to see some of the animals in smaller enclosures and not clean enough habitats (especially because this was one of the Zoos that pioneered the use of natural barriers like moats and trees to enclose the animals as opposed to cages).

Perhaps if you remember really special places as a child ... don't revisit them with your own kids or horrified (at the conditions) husband ...because when they say stuff like "this is lame" "I'm hot " and "Whoa these monkeys stink" you will want to drop them into the lame stinky and probably hot crocodile pit.

The Perfect Flower Necklace

So back when I was stressing out about what I was going to wear to the family wedding (little did I know I should have been my channelling my anxiety energy into my outfit for the hens night ... whoa those young chicky babes looked amazing) I knew really wanted something "different" for a necklace. I couldn't find anything that I "loved".


I had lots of ideas ... meaning I had googled green flower necklaces.... and I had violated untold copyright laws by printing out these pics of other peoples creations.



In the mean time I was reading a lovely funny witty "real" blog by a Mum of 4 in the States and I had noticed that Robin had an etsy shop 'cos I am a detective like that (and she a sidebar on her blog) and she was making hairbands with flowers that I love love loved. So I sent her an email with a couple of pics for ideas and this very creative Soul turned my half baked wishes into a perfect flower necklace... in green of course.



So I wanted to say thanks to Robin because I really felt great wearing her creation and also let you know where you can get a wonderful piece of custom made creative bling for your next do!

Here is the options Robin gave me for chains and lengths etc...


and yes I failed to get a good close up picture of the necklace... but I love the overall look and you get the idea.

Robin fabulous etsy shop is at here ... Run don't walk to check it out.

Singapore & Thailand 2010

I feel like I'm turning a corner... I'm not as annoyed with the world and I have stopped whinging about my (pretty good) life. School is back and the sun is shining (more). I still feel sad when I look at our holiday snaps and we all miss our family terribly... but I need to move on, be all that I can be, shoot for the top, fake it til I make it... oops where was I. I'm posting the holiday snaps. I'm not going to apologise for the amount of pictures (lets face it I am so nosy whenever anyone puts lots of pics on their blog I LOVE it) but I probably should apologise in advance for the pic of me in my bathers ;-)



In the beginning...



Let the waiting (in airports) begin

as well as being squashed in aeroplanes.

Singapore. We were in transit overnight and flew to Phuket the next morning.

More waiting in airports for the bus to the hotel in Singers.

The hotel had a great walkway above the road to a shopping centre and food court... so off we went.

Eating

and shopping. (this was all at about 9.30-10pm)

All the pretty shoes...

Phuket

This restaurant had super cheap and yummy food ... but a dirt floor ... we didn't go back. I have some standards.

The first of many curries Bear consumed.

This was how we rolled...

Baby Elephants

View from the top of an elephant

My face says it all.... my fear of heights is meeting my fear of large animals is meeting my fear of snakes.

Each afternoon two housekeeping staff would bring an ice bucket to the rooms and turn down the beds and leave an orchid...just like what happens at home really.

Part of the Breakfast Buffet aka start each day by eating way too much and then repeat every single day.

We took a trip to the shopping centre.

and found some tools for the tools...

and waited around for a tuk tuk (taxi) to get us back to the hotel...

Aunty D had to go do a deal with the tuk tuk coordinator (he did want to take us on the back of his and his mate scooters :-)

Bear provided the negotiating muscle...

The hotel activities

included learning how to dance thai style.

Two Chefs : our favourite restaurant. No dirt floors but plenty of yummy food and 99 Baht Cocktails/Mocktails.

3 brothers at Two Chefs

Phi Phi Island Jet Boat Tour.

It is important to have clean fit.

Sorry... focus on the Leonardo Dicaprio Island not on my thighs. Thanks.

The Monkey Island. I didn't fancy rabies so we didn't get off the boat.

More pics of us at restaurants... yes all we did was eat and relax... now you know why I don't want to come back to the real world!

Both my kids HAD to do this activity. Both hated it and found it was a great way to give yourself both heat exhaustion and motion sickness.

David Bear and I all had one day out with a stomach upset. This was Bear the day after his. Poor thing had no energy and went back to the air-conditioned room straight after Breaky. That was probably one of the only downsides about Phuket. Their water isn't potable so when you go out to eat at lots of restaurants (or even brush your teeth) you run the risk of getting a tummy upset. The hotel provioded us with heaps of bottled water for this reason. Unfortunately Bear suffered the most and we had one night of him puking every 25 minutes like clockwork... I hate the puke. One of the upsides about Phuket is that you can get just about ANYTHING over the counter at the chemist. Antibiotics, sleeping tables, Valium (no not for me) and then anti nausea tablets. One of the things that is great about being in another culture was illustrated when the Hotel nurse came to check on Bear the night after the puking. She took his blood pressure and temperature etc and gave him a tube of TigerBalm to smell. Tiger Balm fixes everything in Thailand. We were given it to use for a bloody nose (Lulu) nausea (Bear) Anxiety aka a massive tantrum ( Lulu on the speed boat trip - she was crying and yelling at me to "make the boat stop now!!!" the tour guide came over and rubbed Tiger Balm on her face and shirt front and told her it would calm her right down ... and I am not lying about 5 minutes later she was asleep in my arms) Motion Sickness (me - same boat trip) and a bruised foot (David).

The day that Bear slept David and I took Lulu for a introduction scuba lesson.

This is the gorgeous Michella ... she is looking for a Nanny position in Australia next year ... unfortunately for David we don't have one available.

The rest of the family did a Cave Canoeing trip to Phang Na. I did not. I cant even stand to look at the pic of peeps LYING DOWN to get under the cave openings . Shudder.

One of my favourite people on holidays... I would take all our sweaty dirty clothes to this lady each day and for $1.60 a KG she would give me back nice smelling clean clothes... I never got sick of doing this.

Riding in the Tuk Tuk.

On one of our last days we took the kids into Patong where we bowled and shopped.

Of course I wish I more pics or better pics but I guess for lots of the trip we were all just enjoying each other and the activities to take more photos :-)

We ended up back in Singapore for a day and went to the Zoo but that is another (time sucking) post for another day.