I am still trying to get my head around this whole time out thing. After a few discussions with a couple of friends, I have come to the conclusion that we are all in dire need of this elusive time out thing, but seem to have some varied views on what exactly time out means for us.
For some a candle lit bath, (alone, thank you very much) is considered time out. For others it may be just getting a moment to do some nasty business in the loo without being reminded (by the little ankle snappers fighting over who is going to give Mom the best and longest piece of loo paper) of the unfeminine noises or foul smells permeating from the lavatory. There are those who would enjoy a shopping spree or being pampered at a day spa and many who would love a relaxing weekend away or better yet a week or more.
Does the lack of time that you get for yourself create a greater need for wanting more time for yourself? If you were to be able to regularly get those solo potty breaks and candle lit baths, would this be enough? Is the fact that I am able to write this blog in peace and quiet while all the little angels are in la la land considered me time?
I really am quite curious to know what your ideal "me time" would be, you know, just in case I've missed something awesome that I would realise I would really rather be doing.
Please take a moment to indicate on the poll (on your right hand side) what would be your ideal time out and if you have any other ideas or special secrets, please share them with us.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Thursday, 17 April 2008
The boycott
It is actually quite amazing how our bodies have a way of communicating with us; many of us choose not to pay attention, but in their own ways, they tell us stuff. Today my body said ENOUGH! I have chosen not to pay much attention to it's desperate pleas for what ever it is desperately pleading for. All I know is, that at the end the day, it boycotted me.
After having spent a better part of the week coordinating my kids' social, sporting and events calendar, getting up to date with admin that was horribly neglected during the holidays as well as my home, that I certain was also about to boycott me, my body told me in no uncertain terms today that it had well and truly had enough.
A dear friend of mine suggested that I attempt to partake in a little activity some Mom's have the privilege of doing; Time Out. Speak English please woman I don't talk foreign!
No, seriously, she is absolutely right, but not only do I need to find this elusive time out thing, it needs to be the ultimate elusive, gym time out thing. I know I am terribly unfit as well as overweight and perhaps that is what my body is trying to tell me. It seems we, (my body and I that is) don't quite speak the same language yet, so I don't always fully understand what it is trying to tell me, however when you've reached 7pm in the evening and you pass out from pure exhaustion on the sofa before your children do (seriously, I was out COLD), I think that is a clear signal from my body to do something about our current state of affairs. (Note to self, see if Kade has done anything about the thin machine yet, perhaps while he's there he can add on an instant gym machine too.)
So, now it seems, that not only do I have the insurmountable task of attending to every body elses needs, it turns out that I have to actually take care of myself too. I mean talk about a system malfunction, has this old body of mine forgotten that we are a mother now and that kind of stuff is passed it's "all about us" sell by date?
I am seriously considering the whole gym thing, I know it sounds horribly like I don't want to do it, when in theory I really do, it is just, like the whole patience thing is a virtue I do not have, time is a thing I doubt I will ever have. The body and I have entered into talks, supporting arguments and negotiations with Mr. Hubby regarding the whole gym thing, so if I don't go.....well then I can blame my fitness woes on him. Stay tuned.
After having spent a better part of the week coordinating my kids' social, sporting and events calendar, getting up to date with admin that was horribly neglected during the holidays as well as my home, that I certain was also about to boycott me, my body told me in no uncertain terms today that it had well and truly had enough.
A dear friend of mine suggested that I attempt to partake in a little activity some Mom's have the privilege of doing; Time Out. Speak English please woman I don't talk foreign!
No, seriously, she is absolutely right, but not only do I need to find this elusive time out thing, it needs to be the ultimate elusive, gym time out thing. I know I am terribly unfit as well as overweight and perhaps that is what my body is trying to tell me. It seems we, (my body and I that is) don't quite speak the same language yet, so I don't always fully understand what it is trying to tell me, however when you've reached 7pm in the evening and you pass out from pure exhaustion on the sofa before your children do (seriously, I was out COLD), I think that is a clear signal from my body to do something about our current state of affairs. (Note to self, see if Kade has done anything about the thin machine yet, perhaps while he's there he can add on an instant gym machine too.)
So, now it seems, that not only do I have the insurmountable task of attending to every body elses needs, it turns out that I have to actually take care of myself too. I mean talk about a system malfunction, has this old body of mine forgotten that we are a mother now and that kind of stuff is passed it's "all about us" sell by date?
I am seriously considering the whole gym thing, I know it sounds horribly like I don't want to do it, when in theory I really do, it is just, like the whole patience thing is a virtue I do not have, time is a thing I doubt I will ever have. The body and I have entered into talks, supporting arguments and negotiations with Mr. Hubby regarding the whole gym thing, so if I don't go.....well then I can blame my fitness woes on him. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Techno Mom
I (think I) am most definitely a techno age Mom. When I reflect on the days without my computer and those long lost days without cell phones, I cringe, I wonder, how on earth did we manage? Well, we're all here, most of us anyway, to tell the stories, so they couldn't have been that bad but I'm pretty grateful that we have evolved from that era of life.
I am thankfully spoilt with a techno crazed husband and we are very blessed to have most of the latest gadgets that our "nerdy" generation have now invented for our convenience. (Don't you regret teasing that poor guy in your class with the 4inch thick glasses, who is now a multi millionaire?) You get my point?
When it comes down to housework, I am ever so grateful for my dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer (Any "nerds" reading this please invent a automatic mop and broom!!) and I spare a thought for those poor mothers out there who have to survive without these luxuries.
(Sparing a thought here!)
It was the start of a new term of school here at the beginning of this week and I tried my utmost to get Kade's white (thank you school) shirts clean. I have no idea how kids get them into this state and I do not think I want to know, I chose to remain oblivious, however, this does not satisfy my need to get these shirts clean and show all the other Mother's out there what a capable (cough....not....cough) housewife and mother I am. After the use of some "miracle-stain-removing-over-advertised and clearly misleading product" and tossing them into my ever faithful washing machine, no less than three times, I succumb. We're off to the cleaners. No child of mine is going to wear a shirt to school that looks like it hasn't seen a washing machine since he took it off last term!
I return the next day to collect the hopefully no longer stain embedded items.
WOW, is my first reaction, I praise this clearly domestic goddess of a woman on her efforts as these shirts are probably as clean as the day the were purchased. She looks at me sideways. I continue to shower her with praise and practically insist that she give me the name of the secret potion that did this wonder work. She looks at me sideways again. What is with this woman?
My praising eases as I realise she is not really appreciating my efforts and much as I appreciate hers right now. "Well thank you very much, here's your money, but please, tell me how you managed to get these so clean." I ask one more time.
"Well Madam" looking at me sideways once again, "I just used a little OMO and hand washed them."
............hmph.........................well I guess I will just take that and shove in my techno mom posterior!
I am thankfully spoilt with a techno crazed husband and we are very blessed to have most of the latest gadgets that our "nerdy" generation have now invented for our convenience. (Don't you regret teasing that poor guy in your class with the 4inch thick glasses, who is now a multi millionaire?) You get my point?
When it comes down to housework, I am ever so grateful for my dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer (Any "nerds" reading this please invent a automatic mop and broom!!) and I spare a thought for those poor mothers out there who have to survive without these luxuries.
(Sparing a thought here!)
It was the start of a new term of school here at the beginning of this week and I tried my utmost to get Kade's white (thank you school) shirts clean. I have no idea how kids get them into this state and I do not think I want to know, I chose to remain oblivious, however, this does not satisfy my need to get these shirts clean and show all the other Mother's out there what a capable (cough....not....cough) housewife and mother I am. After the use of some "miracle-stain-removing-over-advertised and clearly misleading product" and tossing them into my ever faithful washing machine, no less than three times, I succumb. We're off to the cleaners. No child of mine is going to wear a shirt to school that looks like it hasn't seen a washing machine since he took it off last term!
I return the next day to collect the hopefully no longer stain embedded items.
WOW, is my first reaction, I praise this clearly domestic goddess of a woman on her efforts as these shirts are probably as clean as the day the were purchased. She looks at me sideways. I continue to shower her with praise and practically insist that she give me the name of the secret potion that did this wonder work. She looks at me sideways again. What is with this woman?
My praising eases as I realise she is not really appreciating my efforts and much as I appreciate hers right now. "Well thank you very much, here's your money, but please, tell me how you managed to get these so clean." I ask one more time.
"Well Madam" looking at me sideways once again, "I just used a little OMO and hand washed them."
............hmph.........................well I guess I will just take that and shove in my techno mom posterior!
Monday, 14 April 2008
International Sunday
Kade has been asking quite a few questions lately about other countries. I have tried to find ways to answer his questions, which thankfully, are still first grade kind of questions and are relatively easy enough to answer (I KNOW I am not smarter than a fifth grader). It did get me thinking though, of how to get the kids involved in learning a little bit about the "world out there", still keep in fun, interactive and on a level apporopriate to the ages in our household.
We have started and "International Sunday" day. Every Sunday evening we prepare a meal from a different country and whilst we all squeeze into the kitchen to all help make dinner, Mark and I tell them a little more about the country which inspired their gourmet treat for the evening. I intend on planning this a little better in the future and will attempt to get the kids to help research the unique qualities that our themed country for the week has to offer and then decorate and lay the table accordingly. The kids are quite enthusiastic about this idea and to be honest I find it a little exciting too.
Last night was Italian night and we all made pizza from scratch, kneading the dough, chopping all the toppings and grating and sprinkling all the yummy cheese. (could kick myself for not having taken pics). It was a fun evening had by all with squeals of delight when Daddy tossed his pizza dough in the air and caught it "just like a real Italian Pizza man".
If any of you would like to give it a try, the pizza base recipe that we found was really yum and produced a lovely crisp base.
Italian Night Pizza Base Recipe.
We have started and "International Sunday" day. Every Sunday evening we prepare a meal from a different country and whilst we all squeeze into the kitchen to all help make dinner, Mark and I tell them a little more about the country which inspired their gourmet treat for the evening. I intend on planning this a little better in the future and will attempt to get the kids to help research the unique qualities that our themed country for the week has to offer and then decorate and lay the table accordingly. The kids are quite enthusiastic about this idea and to be honest I find it a little exciting too.
Last night was Italian night and we all made pizza from scratch, kneading the dough, chopping all the toppings and grating and sprinkling all the yummy cheese. (could kick myself for not having taken pics). It was a fun evening had by all with squeals of delight when Daddy tossed his pizza dough in the air and caught it "just like a real Italian Pizza man".
If any of you would like to give it a try, the pizza base recipe that we found was really yum and produced a lovely crisp base.
Italian Night Pizza Base Recipe.
- 1 teaspoon dried yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 155 g/5 oz plain flour
- 6 cloves garlic crushed (optional)
Place the yeast, salt, sugar and warm water in a small bowl. Leave, covered in plastic wrap, in a warm place for 10 minutes, or until foamy. Sift the flour into a large bowl, make a well in the centre and add the yeast mixture and garlic. Mix to form a dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Roll out to fit a 30cm (12 inch) greased or non stick pizza tray.
For our family of 5 we doubled this recipe. (Recipe taken from "Cooking Italian" cookbook.)
Spread the bases with a tomato sauce and let everyone have fun decorating their own pizzas. Bake in a preheated oven 200C/400F for about 20-30 minutes or until the base is cooked through.
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