When Plans fall into place.

Isn't it wonderful when things fall into place. I just love that fact that this week has all come together as I needed it to.

1. I got work for each day of the working week;. (Still getting the money together to replace my car)
2. Only one lot of winter sport still operating so I was not rushing around like a headless chicken.
3. The sun has been shining and that always makes me feel happy.
4. We are almost able to tick off the renovation list the bathroom. It is half done. This week should see it almost finished.
5. Even though the end of the third school term is nearing the children are coping very well and not too badly behaved. Long may this last.
6. My after school care for Hayden is just working perfectly. Thank you to the lovely Phyllis.

Here's hoping this week goes just as well.

Finally I have let the fire go out.

I am a lover of summer and when winter is here my house has to be toasty warm. That means that here in Auckland New Zealand, where it does not snow and we only get a handful of frosts all winter, I still love to have a fire running inside all winter long. Yes, that means all day and night. Luckily we have a fire that does that. The wood we use is free and from a renewable resource.

This year as spring is eagerly arriving early with temperatures that make me think that I need to do something about my summer wardrobe and how ridiculous I am to be so over dressed as I am way tooooooo hot I still have my fire going. Why well my reason is, and I am sticking to it, is that while DH is away with work for nights at a time, and I am busy working, I need my fire to dry my clothes overnight. I am having trouble finding the time to hang them on the line before I leave for work.

Oh yes and I am saving money while not using the drier.

P365 week 35 and 36

Here is the next installment of my Project 365

week 35



The credits can be found here at Nuts4Digi

Week 36



The credits can be found here at Nuts4Digi

I cant wait to see what my printed book is going to look like.

Monday Menu 14 September

Another week of menus in my house. It has been another great week and so to this week.

Monday spaghetti and meatballs

Tuesday raisin and walnut brown rice salad

Wednesday Fajitas

Thursday zucchini loaf salad and baked potato

Friday vegetable dumplings salad and potatoes

Saturday kebabs on the bbq

Sunday left overs

Happy Birthday

It is birthday time in my house. Hayden turned 7 on Sunday even though ever since he got seriously sick (when he was 3) he has thought it was his 4th birthday. Perhaps that is not a bad thing as he is about the height of a 4 year old, cognitively like an almost 3 year old and behaviourally fits right in their too.

At this time I am constantly amazed that Hayden is still with us, and even though his life was irreversible I still am constantly amazed that he survived everything that was thrown at him. So this time of the year is always bitter sweet. The if only ..... question is asked. This is probably the only time in the year I really sit and contemplate this. No time to think otherwise and such a waste of life.

I made two cakes, one for home and one for his party at school.

So Happy Birthday Hayden we hope you had a great day filled with joy and laughter.



The cake for school.



and of course what would a party be without a gift or two that you could enjoy playing with and sharing with your brother.

Monday Menu 7 September

Another week gone. This week I have tried to find more links for the food on my menu.

Monday weight watchers spaghetti bolignese

Tuesday Chicken and rice salad

Wednesday weight watchers beef tacos

Thursday meat loaf. This is a link to a whole range of WW loafs that mine is something like.

Friday Weight Watchers Vegetarian Thai red curry with noodles

Saturday chicken vege and salad (bbq)

Sunday Hayden's choice as it is his birthday.

Another Miracle well really a solution

My son Hayden has many challenges in life but sometimes he is the one putting the challenges our way. Like bedtime.



I think the photo says it all. Every piece of his clothing from every draw has been thrown on the floor every night for the last 3 weeks. Although on the night of the photo I was smiling, well slightly, most nights I feel despair as I open the bedroom door. What was I going to do about it? I am not so concerned about the removal of his pj's because they were always replaced with at least 3 shirts, track pants and occasionally togs as well.

I guess I am a slow learner because at the beginning of last week I came up with a solution and out to the shops I went.

Now look....



Firstly I removed everything from his drawers. How he no longer looks in them or pulls them over.



Instead I bought a hanging thing for the wardrobe. The sort I think you would put shoes in or such like, and packed his clothes in. This now hang among the clothing and the boxes of Nutrini, Hayden's overnight feed, extension sets, that hook Hayden up to his feed from his mckey button and overnight nappies. About six weeks food supply can be see here. Usually there is three months supply. The one bag on nappies lasts us 4 nights. The rest are stored elsewhere.

Out come is that the wardrobe has no handle so Hayden does not get in and now I do not have to fold and repack drawers every night. Yay.

P365 week 33 and 34

Here are the next two weeks. Boy just look at those weeks disappear. I cant believe that I am still up to date and finding things to photograph.

week 33



The credits for this page can be found here at Nuts4Digi

week 34



The credits for this page can be found here at Nuts4Digi

Point Shoot and Admire

My children have taken a big interest in taking photos this year. Maybe it is because they are just a little older or maybe because I am participating in Project 365, a photo a day. They get to see the camera being used way more that in previous years. So I have come up with a couple of starter pointer for them to learn. i will try and add to it over the weeks and see what kind of photographers they become.

So here they are....
1. The camera strap needs to be around their neck at all times. The last thing we need is for a dropped camera as it is the only one we have at this stage.

2. I have cut out a frame so that the idea of a photo is taken between a frame. I was inspired to do this after visiting the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Scroll down and you will see what I mean.

The reason why the concept of framing is needed is evident. Just look at this photo by DS2.



Certain a photo showing my best features off.

Monday Menu 31 August

Here is this weeks plan. Sport in my house is easing off. This means not quite as much rushing around in the evening and more flexibility with meal selection. Also DH is away so I have to adapt meal sizes a little or find the freezable leftovers.


Monday Left overs.

Tuesday Meatball and spaghetti

Wednesday Madras Beef from the Foodtown Magazine pg 45 Aug/Sep

Thursday Freeze meal

Friday Tuna burgers home made

Saturday Chicken kebabs and salad

Sunday Filo Samosas at WW recipe