Walking Walking Walking

Today I am walking EVERYWHERE...

I had to drop my car off for a service (long overdue)
It does mean that I get to "work" from home... And yes, I do get more done. But there is also the temptations of Internet surfing, lunch with girlfriends (of which I just got home from) and even the washing!

I had a lovely lunch with Philippa, Nicole and Charon and the kids too! Such a lovely sunny day in Sydney today! And now I smell of babies.
But now I'm home... Thought I'd quickly update little bloggy here and then get back to some work...

Tomorrow I'm off to Melbourne to mum and dad's birthday!!! I'm so very excited! Really looking forward to catching up with everyone!!!

Don't forget to check out Polka dot bride! The lovely EmmieGemmie of Desert Darling (formally West Aussie Wedding) wedding is featured! Such a beautiful bush wedding. Serious wedding envy here today...

About time

I finally picked up my wedding dress  today....
We have only been married for 5 months!
It's sitting in the back seat of my car, all boxed up with a cute ribbon around it.
So now what?
What will I do with it now?

I will tell you what I'm doing with it! Taking it straight to my mum and dad's house! It's going to sit in the spare room (my old bedroom) next to my sisters dress. And that's it. Nothing else.

Seems such a waste really.

Love

I had such an amazing weekend with my husband. I love him dearly. 

I am so glad he is the one I chose to spend the rest of my life with.

Another failed attempt

Thanks Google Images

Unfortunately we have had another month of failed attempts on the baby making front.
I was still sad and disappointed, but not as bad as the first month.
First time around I was shocked, sad, angry and so many other things. It made me see that we are not perfect. I am not wonder woman and we don't always get what we want straight away.
So that brings me to my latest purchase. Maybe Baby came recommended from my friend Vanessa. Her and her husband used the Maybe Baby while trying to conceive their 6 week old daughter Madalene. She has been a great source of support and I was shocked to here that it took them about 5-6 months of actively trying before she fell pregnant with Madalene.
So lets see what this next month holds for us on the baby making front.
Please cross your fingers for us.

Little Miss

I am loving my Clippers Organic Decaf tea I bought last weekend! I like it nice and strong with a dash of milk and NO sugar.
This is a picture of me drinking my tea this morning!
My husband bought this mug for me and gave it to me the day before we got married.
Its a good size and holds the perfect amount of tea in it!
One the other side of the mug it has a little picture of LMN poking her head out the window and a little caption "Looks like a nice day for being naughty!"
Also, no coffee for over a week now! I'm not strictly caffeine free, I think that would be pretty hard, but cutting the coffee is a good thing! And I love tea anyway!!!

Birthdays Birthdays Birthdays

Yesterday I bought my mum's 50th birthday present!
It's a stunning pearl necklace.
I really hope that she will like it. I don't know? Maybe she wont?
The present will be from myself and my hubby, my sister and her hubby and my 2 brothers.
It's her 50th so she deserves to be spoilt!
I also had to do the shopping for a present for mum from dad. He is no shopper. Always says there was a reason he had 2 daughters! ha ha!
Mum doesn't have an eternity ring or anything, so I thought it would be nice to get her something like that. Also it was their 30th wedding anniversary earlier in the year so its a nice year to get something like that. Its a beautiful channel set with diamonds yellow gold band. Again... I hope she likes that too! It wont be a secret who bought it. She can tell every gift if it was me or my sister that bought it. She doesn't care, she appreciates the fact that dad at least calls one of us to get something. He does however, buy her flowers all  the time. 30 years on. 4 kids. too many pets to mention and they are still happily married and in love and about to have a big party to celebrate them both turning 50.

I want

Thanks Ebay for the image!

I never ever ever thought that I liked wedges.
Every time I looked at them, I just thought "Nup. Not me" That is until yesterday when I tried a pair on just like this in Witchery.
I LOVE these wedges and they will be a perfect addition to my shoe collection for summer!!!
But, and its a very big BUT. You can't get these anymore.
The pair I saw was at the outlet at Birkenhead point in Sydney. The "pair" was 1 x 38 and 1 x 36 in size!?!?!?!? What the????
So, I am now looking everywhere. I have found a pair on Ebay in a 37. Thats more my size anyway. My fingers are crossed I win them. They are a new pair. I couldn't buy second hand shoes on Ebay. I don't want someone else's foot germs.
If you have any bright ideas where I could get these shoes or some very similar ones pretty please let me know.
I am however heading to Bondi Junction for work thismorning, and last night I got a 60% off email from Witchery! Yipee! I just might need to find some time to pop into the store and check out the sale!

Tea for two?

I have mentioned before that I am trying to cut down and eventually out the caffeine in my diet.
Yesterday I went for a long walk with my friend Sam and baby Alexandra. On our way home we stopped off at About Life because I wanted to buy some decaf tea.
When I spotted the Clippers organic tea I thought I would grab that and give it a go. MB of Rummy Bears is a fan of Clippers, and that helped seal the deal to buy 40 bags of tea for $8.95 !?!?!?!?!?
It is delicious! I recommend it.

The Art of Marriage

Hello Husband! Hello Wifey!

We were married in a Catholic Church. It really was beautiful. Problem is, you can have and know lots of lovely readings... But the Catholic Church is quite strict about what readings etc... you have. They all need to be from the bible.
There was however, one reading that we both loved so much, that we put it in the back of our Order of Service so people could still read it.

The Art of Marriage - By Wilfred A. Peterson

Happiness is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created.

In the art of marriage the little things are the big things...

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say 'I love you' at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with this day, it should continue through all the years.  

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together and facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other the atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual. And the obligation reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner, It is being the right partner.

So proud!

My little sister landed herself the best job (for her) yesterday!
She is going to be working for Boeing. You know those ones that make the planes!
I am so so so proud of her. She finally got what she wanted and is going to be awesome at he new job.


I also have two big GRRRRRR's
1. Our neighbours at No. 14 keep stealing our recycling bin. I'm leaving that one up to  the Mr. to sort out.
2. The design company we are using for our house renovations went to submit our DA plans to council and the surveyor hadn't done everything he was supposed to.

Treats for my sweet

Yesterday my husband and I met up for a little bit of lunch.
He paid. So after we parted ways I walked up the road a bit and bought him a little treat from Belle Fleur.
They are bolts! (Crappy photo sorry) And they are filled with a yummy mouse type filling.
We LOVE (well I love) Belle Fleur chockies! I have the sweetest of sweet tooths/teeths? I got that from my dad.
These 4 bolts with probably last my hubby about a week! That is if I don't get to them first!!!
If you have never tried Belle Fleur chocolates you must!!! Using the words of the one and only Faux Fuchsia "Run, don't walk" They are divine and worth every penny. about $8 just for these! I think their chocolates are about $98 a kilo??? I remember something like that anyway.

A bit of light reading

So, I bought myself a book yesterday.
Many of my had babies friends or having a baby friends have sworn by the book 'what to expect WHEN you're expecting'
I saw this one yesterday and thought 'Brilliant!' this is just what I need right now.
It's new, just out apparently.
It's interesting and quite insightful.
Told my sister that I will have to pass it on to her! Sooner than later I hope.

Tonight I am catching up with a girlfriend from school.
We havent seen eachother for about 3 years? Way too long...
It got me thinking about school and what it was and what it means.
while doing a search on the high school I sent to I came across the history of the school.
I think its important.
I went to school at Assumption College in Kilmore 
I'm pround of my school, the values I learnt there and the friends I made.

The Marist Brothers were invited to start a Primary School for local area boys in 1893. This they did, but as the new century approached the Catholic educational needs of rural families from Northern Victoria and Southern New South Wales had to be considered. In 1901 the first boarder was enrolled at the College as a response to the needs of those families. In 1907 the school became registered and officially known as Assumption College Kilmore.

The school continued to grow as a boys' boarding school with a smaller day school component right through until the 1970's. In 1971, the first two girls were enrolled in the College. These brave young women paved the way for the introduction of full coeducation in the day school in 1985-86 and full coeducation in the boarding house in 1995-96. Since then the proportion of girls in the school has grown to be close to 50% of the school population.
In the past 20 years, the areas of Kilmore and surrounds have become commuter townships for people working in Melbourne. This change has resulted in enormous growth in the number of day students attending the College. Since 1985, when for the first time since the school opened day students outnumbered boarders, the growth in day students has continued at pace. Whilst the Marist Brothers are committed to providing boarding places into the forseeable future, the day population of the school will also continue to grow.
Assumption was long known as the "football factory" and, in Catholic Church circles, the "priest factory". Perhaps in the 21st Century these two titles are no longer appropriate, however, the College has always and will continue to promote an atmosphere where our young people are allowed to pursue their studies with purpose and confidence, where they can reach their full potential in all aspects of human development, and grow in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and the Gospel values of love of self and of one another.

So here's to a fun night with an old friend! I will have to see if I can find any old photos and post them up too!

the husband survey

So I stole this from CateG, who apparently stole it from Teacup Grunge, who stole it from The Blonde Leopard, who stole it from Domestic Divinity.

I like it! It's cute! And because Sundays are 'our' day I thought it was very appropriate for the day.

How long have your been together?

Three and a half years. Married nearly 5 months

How old is he?

38! me 30.

Who said I love you first?

He did. I remember saying "well what do you want from  this? I don't want to just muck around" (maybe after a few wines?!?) and he said "Neither do I. I love you" I said "Yay!"

Who eats more?

Hmm, depends on the occasion. I have been well known to eat way way more. But normally him.

Who's taller?

Him. But only just just just. If I wear really high heels its any ones guess.

Who's temper is worse?

Me! 100% sure on that one.

Who does the laundry?

Me. Not too sure he even knows how to turn the machine on? And I don't like the way he hangs my clothes on the line.

Who sings better?

Neither. But I am the worlds worst. But does not stop me from making up a tune when the moment strikes and singing it to my beloved. I will even add a little jig for him too.

Who is smarter?

We both have our strengths, we both have our weaknesses. But I think I have to admit it's him.

Who does the dishes?

Him. 99.99% of the time. I hate doing dishes and we have no dishwasher. Once the renos are done. Could be a different story.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?

Me. 

Who pays the bills?

Me. Bills? What bills? Is what he would say.

Who mows the lawn?

Well for so long we lived in an apartment. Now with the little lawn we have, we have not needed to mow it yet with the weather. And once we renovate there wont be any lawn. But if we did have one that needed mowing it would be Mr. Lawnmower man.

Who cooks dinner?

Its a bit of a 50/50 there. But 99.99% of the time I organise what we are going to have, buy the groceries and prepare it. He is the BBQ king though.

Who drives when you are together?

Always him. He can't stand my driving. Well that is unless he needs picking up. But he will always ask nicely.

Who is more stubborn?

Me. Me. Me. 100%

Who is the first to admit they are wrong?

Never me. I can't! 100% him.

Who's parents do you see more often?

I don't see his parents. We don't speak. So no answer for that one. 

Who has more friends?

Him. Too many I say.

Who has more siblings?

Me = 1 sister and 2 brothers. Him = 1 brother.

Was it love at first sight?

Love at second sight I say. See here.

Another one of my favorite images from our wedding.
I can't remember what I said to get this look. But it is not uncommon for me to get this look from him for some crazy thing I have said, done or maybe even sung.


Gee, I love my husband. 


Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday. 
We have a Sunday rule in our house, it's called 'Sunday Sleep in' and it suits us perfectly.

Sunny Saturday

Image Courtesy of weheartit.com

I had to work this morning. But it's only for about 3 hours so it's not too bad.
I'm home now doing the washing and getting it all out on the line so it will dry.
What a glorious Sydney Saturday we are having so far!
At about 1.30 I will be leaving the house and heading out for a girls catch up and lunch!
Many reasons to celebrate!!!
Philippa is back after about 2 months in the UK
Nicole is going to have her last and final egg implanted in the next few weeks. Hopefully it all goes well and they get their baby number 3. We will also cross our fingers for a girl for her (already has 2 boys)
Holly had her birthday last weekend, but was away for it so now we all get to celebrate with her!
Not that we need an excuse for a catch up, but this will be extra special with all the bits and pieces that are happening and going on.
Then its home with the hubby tonight for our Peri Peri Chicken, which I had better get ready and marinating in the fridge.

Oh yeah! And check out weheartit.com some beautiful pictures. I found the site through Desert Darling's beautiful blog

My new toy

Look at what I bought yesterday! I was so sick of going through recipes and couldn't make them because I needed something as simple as a blender...
And now thanks to my friends at Harvey Norman I have one!!!

My new toy

Last night I made some Peri Peri sauce and on Saturday night we are going to stay home together and make this yummy Peri Peri Chicken (No fries though):

Mmm, Peri Peri Chicken

Hopefully it isn't too hot. I'm not a fan of really really hot, but like a little spice. Where as my husband loves really SPICY.
When I was making the sauce, I spilt red wine vinegar and olive oil on my uggs. Grr. Damn. I have given them a good wipe down and hopefully they will be ok.

Oh, and in other news... I got a little text from my sister last night...
She found my blog. I was a bit embarrassed about it at first. But she reckons its cool! So, if your out there little sis "Hi!, I love you. And can't wait to see you again soon"

Party Time!

My mum and dad are both 50 this year.
Dad's birthday was a week ago and mum's is in a few weeks.
They are having a joint party together. We got their invite in the mail the other day. I thought I would be a bit funny and put a proper acceptance card in the post for them! (And um, request 3 nights accommodation) Mum will appreciate  this and will keep it forever. probably pull it out at my 50th!
The photo on the invite was taken at my wedding. It's one of the nicest photos of the two of them together I have ever seen. My brother Matt took it with his fancy camera.
They are really going all out for this party. Fully catered. Beer, wine and CHAMPAGNE! A custom marquee incorporating the house. "The" band... And all the bells and whistles! I'm organising a dessert buffet for them! I'm excited! Can't wait! We had a lolly buffet at our wedding, mum loved it and wants one for their birthday. But we are making it a dessert one instead.

Gee I love my folks! They are the best!

Tiny Toes & a Name!

A gift for baby Arkie

Are they not the cutest socks ever!

Beautifully gift wrapped by me!

So last night we had dinner plans with Sammie and Chris and Philippa and Rene.
As I hadn't seen Sammie in some time I was finally able to give her the little gift that I bought the moment that we found out that she is having a girl! Aren't they the cutest ever!!!
We found out that they have decided on a name! Arkie. Different, unusual, beautiful! I love it!

So it was decided that they would all come to our house first to take a look over our plans and have a 'pre-dinner drink'. Sammie and Chris arrived first. Then about 5 minutes or so later we had a knock on the door and there was Rene and Philippa and Baby Hania!!!
There was big hugs all round, I hadn't seen Philippa and Hania for about 2 months because they have been away in the UK with Philippa's family.
It was super exciting because Hania wasn't going to come! Wow! She has grown! She is such a stunner! (Sorry, I didn't take any photos - I will soon though) She seems to adore my husband and just wanted him to hold her. He was also quite taken with her and was extremely happy to oblige.

We then headed off and had some dinner and a few wines. We had such a lovely night. I just love catching up with friends, having a laugh and a good time. It's always fun to catch up and Erin (My husband) and Rene have known each other for about 20 years. (And how about they both have girls names! ha ha!)

Now bring on the weekend! Saturday is girlie catch up day!!! About 8 of us all for a bit of lunch and a laugh. Cant wait!!!

Going live...

Just a quick one.
I was super chuffed to see that I have 5 followers. Plus I know there are at least another 2 or 3 people that check out my blog...
So... I decided about 5 minutes ago to add my blog to my signature on my Vogue Forum's thingy.

Maybe some people find me a little interesting?
Cool!

Izzie

This is Izzie. She is a foster dog that my aunt is looking after.
She is a 9 month old blue heeler cattle dog and she is as cute as ever!
I'm not too sure why she is a foster dog? But how sad. How could anyone let this creature go?
My aunt is a volunteer for Pets Haven
I think this is amazing and very selfless of her.
My mum and dad would have loved to take Izzie, but they already have 3 dogs and 2 of them are still puppies. I think that the 3 they are are more than enough!

Tonight we are dining with some friends! Samantha and Chris (Sammie is due with her baby girl on Christmas eve!) And Rene and Philippa (Yay! Pipsy is back from 2 months in the UK visiting family) I'm really looking forward to a big catch up! But little Hania, R & P's daughter is going to have a night with her grandparents, so I will have to see her and have a little catch up later in the week.

Mmm Coffee

Mmm, Coffee.
I do love a good coffee and have found what I think is the best coffee EVER!
There is a little bakery close to my house that is on the way to work and there is always a parking spot out the front.
And at only $3 for a large coffee you cant go wrong!
Problem: bakery = cakes = I have a very very sweet tooth and became a little addicted to a cinnamon donut. Hmm, not good. But then I stopped. But the lovely owners kept asking if I wanted a donut every time. Not good. I have been good and keep saying no. I only take $3 in so I don't have the choice to buy anything else.
Now we have a problem. Caffeine is not good for fertility. So, I am trying to cut back the coffee intake and only have one every couple of days. So far so good. Had one last Wednesday morning at the airport on the way home after dad's birthday and then didn't have another one till today! But did you know that caffeine is good for the males fertility? Well apparently so. So I told my darling husband he is more than welcome to drink at much coffee as her likes!

By the way, please ignore my horrible nails in this photo. I am in desperate need of a manicure. This picture proves it. I'm going tonight.

Stella

This is Stella. She belongs to our next door neighbours.
But she seems to have taken a bit of a liking to us and always hangs out with us at our house!
She is always really skinny. It's sad. I don't think she really gets fed much and when she does the other cat fights this little one and she doesn't get any food. We head them all the time.
We have taken to feeding her. Probably not a great idea, but we felt so so sorry for her.
My mum even gave us one of our old cats bowls her! Very cute!
We have a very quiet weekend this week! Yay! No plans. Not much to do! Excellent. I think my husband will see his dad on Sunday for fathers day. So means it will just be me and Stella hanging at home! Hopefully it doesn't rain all weekend and I can go for a walk and start my exercise regime again. Spring is here and Summer will be upon us any moment now.

The Present

The Painting

The Tractor - Taken at my sisters wedding

The dog - Micky

So dad LOVED the painting!

We had a great night celebrating with family and friends, but it was hard to wake up this morning at what felt like the crack of dawn to jump on a plane and come home.

So so glad we went and dad was very very surprised! Probably happier to see my husband than me though! ha ha!

Dad restored this Massey Ferguson tractor and it is all shiny red! Took him ages to do it, but it is pretty impressive. I thought I would put a picture of it up that had my sister and her husband in it so you can see them too! They got married on my parents property in November 2009. It was a wonderful wedding and was nice and close to bed too!

Micky the dog. Well this dog just loves my dad. He was named after Mick Dohan (by my 2 younger brothers) the motorbike racer because of his 'grey' hair Mick is about 13 now and we don't think he will be around for long. He has earned the right in our family to be put on canvas! He is a great wonderful very loyal dog. The 2 x puppies (picture another day) aren't there just yet. They are two crazy creatures (But very cute!)

Very tired now, so will be dinner, a bit of tele and early to bed for us. Friday tomorrow! YAY!!! 

Submit to Council!

Here they are!!! The final plans!!!
They will be submitted to our council by the end of the week!!!
Then it's wait, wait, wait...
We are so excited to get this project underway!
I'm excited to start picking colours and finishings, tiles, everything!!!
House is going to be so much more user friendly.
We will be able to have people over and entertain!
Here is the old layout
http://marriagerenovationsand.blogspot.com/2010/08/two-timing.html

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to my dad!!! 50 today!!!
My husband and I are jumping on a 3.20pm flight today and we are flying to Melbourne to surprise my dad for his birthday!!!
Then we have a very early flight home tomorrow morning.
I know he will be super surprised! And I can't wait!
My dad would have to be the hardest person in the whole wide world to buy for. But I'm really really excited about what we got him this year!
We arranged for a local painter lady to paint a picture of dad's tractor that he restored!
I will take a picture and post it another day.
We also had "The Dog" painted into the picture!