Category: A day in my Life

I woke up about 4.30am this morning and lay in bed cuddling my dogs till about 5am. Got up and dressed and headed out for a walk before the sun was even up.

I LOVE walking at this time of day and this morning we saw a spectacular sunrise. It was just magical.

Back home I made the mistake of “quickly” checking my e-mail and half and hour later had to really drag myself away to do my morning workout. I did the Action Hero Babe build workout which is rather challenging but at the end I felt GREAT! And a bit sweaty :-).

Post workout I always have a green smoothie (with some unflavoured protein powder). Delicious! Oh, look who else enjoyed a green smoothie this morning – Alison from Mama’s Weeds.

Since it was still early – around 7.30am – I played on the computer until the rest of the family woke up (Amy was already up). Then it was time to do my normal daily of routine of watering the veggie garden (which is growing at an amazing rate), empty the dishwasher and feed all the animals. It’s already getting warm outside so I think it’s going to be a hot day.

Around 9am I munched on a couple of cruskits with cottage cheese and then headed up to have my shower and get dressed. Shortly afterwards Tina dropped by with some Christmas goodies I had ordered at a home party about a month ago. So excited as I couldn’t remember what I’d ordered. I got some great things for myself and the girls had picked out some presents for their teachers. Didn’t realize I was into gingerbread things.

Then it was time to make ask Kevin to get down the Christmas trees (from the garage roof) and help lug down the boxes of Christmas decorations. I should have taken a photos of all the boxes together – actually maybe it’s better that I didn’t :-).

As soon as we put the Christmas music on Kevin cleared out and the girls and I got to work putting up the tree and decorating downstairs. Amy did most of the tree by herself (though I did have to help with the light untangling) and Christy worked on the Christmas village.

Okay, before you pronounce me crazy (like Kevin did) for decorating so early – will be away the next two weekend and I was not going to go to all this trouble in December for just a couple of weeks. And I think it’s helped get me into the Christmas spirit – which I seemed to have been missing this year.

I took a break around 11am, already tired and over the decoarting. The girls had given up by now and I was left to deal with the mess.

Finally got the entrance and loungeroom done by about 1pm. Frankly I’m not too worried about decorating the family room and upstairs but I’m sure it’ll gradually get done. It was nice getting out the Christmas dishes.  Lunch was a wrap with hummus, cheese & salad which I ate at the computer (surprise, surprise). Kevin arrived home shortly afterwards and I played on the laptop while half watching TV. With the hot day and rather busy morning I feeling rather tired and my hands & feet were swollen & sore. Mid-afternoon we made some popcorn.

And when Kevin put on a TV show I didn’t want to watch/listen to I took my laptop outside to the pavillion (boy that sounds posh!). Talk about relaxing. I enjoyed a cup of tea and a couple of Crabtree & Evelyn Orange Butter biscuits (I adore these but can only find them at Christmas time – which was the reason I bought 4 packets the other day 🙂 ).

I worked on our UK travel plans – revising our itinerary so we now get to visit the Orkneys and Skara Brae. So excited!

The girls came out and had a swim.

It was nearly 6pm when we headed back indoors and time to think about cooking dinner. I got the dogs their dinner and bought in the washing while it was cooking.

And sent Kevin out to collect any eggs. He looks impressed doesn’t he?

We enjoyed sweet potato rissotto (I made extra for Nan & Pop since they had just mowed our lawn) which we enjoyed (in a Christmas bowl) while watching some House.

Christy had had dinner with Nan & Pop but when she returned she spent about 40mins playing (very carefully) with the Christmas village.

We headed up to bed around 9pm and I’m pretty sure I was asleep by 9.30pm. I was awoken around 11.30pm by our new neighbours (they moved in TODAY) who were having a family sing-a-long. I’m pretty sure they had no idea how loud they were – I thought they were outside. But it was a still night and their house is fairly empty of furniture and seems to echo. Hope it’s not a sign of things to come. We’ve had no neighbours here (besides Nan & Pop) for 4 years so it’s a shock to the system.

Feeling a bit tired when I awoke at 5.45am. The girls had their first dance concert last night so it was nearly 10.30 by the time we got home and after 11am before I went to sleep. I cuddled with Rosie for a bit (trying not to wake up Christy who is sleeping with me while Kevin is away in the States). I decided no more sleep was to be had and got up after 6am. Downstairs to let the dogs out and get my first cup of tea for the day. Kevin rang so I spoke to him for a  bit – sounds like he’s enjoying himself and his convention is off to a good start. I checked my e-mail, caught up on the RCR forums and uploaded some photos to flickr.

Around 8am I got hungry for breakfast. I decided upon last nights dinner leftovers from Noodle Box. Strange I know but rather yummy. I didn’t want it to get wasted and I want to have a salad for lunch, then we’ll be out for dinner again – so noodles for breakfast it is.

With Christy asleep in my bed I wasn’t able to shower and get dressed, so after spending time on the computer I pottered around feeding the animals, emptying the dishwash and tidying the kitchen. Christy finally woke up about 9.15am so I was about to get ready for the day.

I then headed out the chicken yard – due to a broken fence (which has no been fixed) and all the rain we had last week it was rather messy. I quick sweep and tidy and it was looking much better.

Two eggs so far today, I’ll check back later for more.

Next up cleaning the guinea pig cage. While I was doing this (it literally takes 5 mins) Christy decided she wanted to give them a  bath – so we did.

I love watching them shake and groom themselves after a bath – so cute. As you can see I had fun getting some close-ups.

Time to finish the animal trifecta and pick up after the dogs. Also watered the front pot plants while I was out there.

I was wanting a cup of tea but decided to make a green smoothie as I haven’t had one for about a week – it’s been too cold and/or I’ve been too busy. I know they don’t look very nice but I promise they are delicious.

I then headed out to spend some time in the veggie garden – weeding, fertilizing (with a seaweed organic fertilizer), planting some carrot seeds and sprinkling some snail bait (something has eaten the “2nd” lot of cucumber seedlings I’ve planted, PLUS our pumpkins – NOT HAPPY!!!

Then it time to hang out in the kitchen for a bit. I made some soup I’ve been wanting to try (and will probably take this to have tonight). It was a recipe by The Healthy Irishman for Curried Split Pea Soup. I did alter the recipe a little bit but I think it’s turned out great. Tastes delicious and I can’t wait till dinner :-).

It’s nearly 1pm and time for some lunch. I made myself that salad I felt like and a salad plate for Amy (who does not like lettuce). I worked on some of our UK travel plans while I ate.

Christy has gone to play at Nan’s and Amy has a friend over so after a bit more time on the computer I decide on doing some crocheting. However, I get sidetracked cleaning up the kitchen. Then Christy comes back and we make some ginger cookies. While they are baking I cut some watermelon and go out to collect todays eggs and deliver some scraps to the chooks.

Cookies are done – they didn’t quite turn out like they normally do. I checked the recipe and don’t know what went wrong – though the mixture seemed a lot drier than normal. Amy said they taste fine though.

Finally I get to start work on learning how to do granny square. Don’t have much luck – my square is turning out to be a circle!!!

Then it was time to get ready for the dance concert. Had to do both girls hair and makeup and make sure their bags are all packed (they do this themselves).

I was lucky enough to get parking right outside the art center (yet again).

We dropped Christy at the backstage entrance and I took Amy to get some dinner from Noodle Box, before she went backstage. I then headed back to my car, where I read and ate my VERY yummy soup.

Just before 6pm I walked over to the Arts Center and got set to see tonights concert. Just like last night the girls loved being up on stage performing and both did great. I’ll share some photos in the next post. Luckily it’s always a great concert and no great hardship to sit through it twice – though my backside might not agree :-).

It was a bit of sad ending because Kristy has sold the dance company to another studio and although she will still be teaching it was the last KCs concert. There have been 10 and we’ve attended 7 of those. The new studio have a lot to live up in regards to the standard of the concert. We arrived back home around 10.15pm and after getting a cup of tea and trying to read – unsuccesfully cause Christy kept talking to me – I turned out the light and went to sleep.

** Please note most of todays photos were taken with the i-phone – Amy took the camera to school.

I woke this morning at 5.30am when Bailey came up on the bed for a cuddle. Rosie was already at the bottom of bed. Rosie usually get the cuddle spot so it was nice to snuggle with Bailey for a change.

I got up and dressed and took the dogs on a walk down by the lake. We were too early for the sunrise but I’m enjoying our early morning walks again – so much better than later in the day.

Amy was doing some writing and watching TV when I got back.

I drank some water while waiting for the kettle to boil.

I opened the curtains (the only ones that still get closed) and got the dogs some fresh water.

Then it was computer time until 7am. I did a few more jobs like emptying the dishwasher. Christy was now awake so I made us breakfast. This morning I’m having a cheese & hummus sandwich – with sprouts I sprouted myself).

Another photo of my VERY strange dog.

Upstairs I was most impressed (and surprised) to find Kevin had made our bed.

And a quick view from our window of the new house that is almost finished.

I made Christy’s bed and laid out her uniform.

Then it was time to shower and get dressed. I put on a load of washing and tidied the kitchen. Amy headed off to school on her scooter. Christy had been going to ride but we couldn’t find her bike helmet so I drove her to school, then headed to the local shopping center. Couldn’t believe it when I scored a spot right by the door – it doesn’t bother me to park further away but I wasn’t going to say no to this spot :-).

First stop was the bank to deposit some coins my Dad had collected for the girls.

Then the jewellers to pick up Amy’s watch that was being repaired (a girl in her class had deliberately stood on it – luckily it only cost $4 to get fixed).

A quick stop in the supermarket – really shouldn’t have gone it as some chocolate made it’s way into my basket :-(, then the bakery for some fresh rolls. Really must get back to trying to find the perfect home-made bread recipe.

As I drive back home it looks to be getting more overcast and like it might rain soon. Who knows? We’ve been having such crazy weather you just never know what you’ll get from one day to the next.

At home I am greeted by the dogs (who get locked in a room whenever I go out so they don’t destroy anything). I unpacked the few things I had and sit down with a cup of tea (and the half of my breakfast I didn’t eat earlier).

After a break the clothes are ready to be hung out, but it’s just starting to sprinkle so I put them on the portable line undercover.

Then it’s time to get on with today Flylady mission – the bathroom vanity’s.

Didn’t really take too long to do them (I didn’t need to do mine as it was done a few weeks ago) – so just the girls vanity and the downstairs one – which stores not only tissues and toilet paper, but printer paper and candles!

This led to putting candles in the kitchen and reorganising my tea/baking cupboard (where the kitchen candles are stored).

Then a quick tidy of the pantry and fridge. And my work is (mostly) done for the day. I try and keep myself doing jobs until 12pm, then have lunch and a bit of free time before the kids finish school. Bailey is the strangest dog and can often be found lying like this.

Of course I had to give him pat, then Rosie joined us and they ended up like this…

While I had lunch (Monday night leftovers – yum) while reading blogs….

and ordering some things online – I just had to have these cute little pokka dot bowls.

the dogs took a nap….

At 1pm I worked on i-movie – making the video of our Western Australia trip. It’s taking a while but will be worth it when it’s finished.

At 3pm I drove up to school – lucky Christy didn’t ride as it’s turned VERY cold outside. I wait for her for around 15mins then drove up closer to the school (she is supposed to walk up and meet me). Apparantly she had been playing with a friend. So after she got in trouble and spoke back to me, she had to spend 8 mins on the step when we got home – not a great start to the afternoon. Amy has gone to play at a friends and we’ll pick her up on the way to swimming.

Now feeling rather stressed I made another cup of tea, which I enjoyed with some of that chocolate I mentioned earlier – must have know I’d be in need when I bought it :-). When I went to bring the birds back indoors I spotted Christy’s bike helmet out by the pool – the same one she most definitely left hanging on her bike!!!! We had been going to go get her a new one after school but didn’t because of her mood – lucky!

I enjoyed my cup of tea and spent the next or so playing on the computer, in amongst doing jobs like cooking black beans for the dogs dinner. At 5.30pm I got Christy organised for swimming lessons and we left to get Amy on the way.

I enjoyed another cup of tea (bought from home) and read blogs while the girls swam. When Christy’s lesson finished at 6.30pm I helped her shower and get dressed (into pjs) and waited for Amy’s lesson to finish at 6.45pm. Then it was time to head home. A quick change into my pjs. No-one else wanted dinner (Kevin had already eaten) so I got dinner – leftover burrito bowl from last night. The girls went off to play a new computer game so Kevin & I got to watch some True Blood Season 2. Time for ANOTHER cup of tea (and some more chocolate).

I put Christy to bed at 8.30pm and the rest of us headed there about 9.15pm. I had just a few chapters of my book to finish and did so around 10pm.

For those of you paying attention you’ll notice that I missed doing this the last few months. In June I was too sick to care, and really not doing anything beside lying on the couch watching TV and last month we were on holiday in Western Australia. And guess what? It’s not the 14th! I forgot all about it on Friday but didn’t want to miss another month.

Today I woke up about 5.45am after a rather fitful nights sleep. I decided to get up and take the dogs for a walk. It was a surprisingly mild morning and it’s nice being light enough to walk early again. We did our normal circuit out by the the lake and returned home before the sun had even come up over the horizon.

Then it was time for some proper exercise. I did some Red Carpet Ready exercise – focusing on legs as I plan to do upper body at the gym tomorrow.

Rather hot and sweaty at the end.

The kids wanted breakfast but I wasn’t ready to eat yet. I made Christy some french toast and had a protein shake (no green smoothie today as I’m out of spinach 🙁 ).

I get the dishwasher unpacked and help the girls get organised for school. We’re running on time and they decide they want to put their Summer bedding on their beds. I’m thinking it’s still a bit early but oblige them anyway.

Next up we ride to school and I return home. Since I haven’t yet been on the computer I decide to have some “food” while reading email and checking some blogs. I set the time for 20mins to remind to get up and get on with cleaning the house.

I do manage to drag myself away and put some a flylady podcast to listen to while I clean. It ends up being a bit of big job today as I decided to put our lounge room in Summer configeration (no heater) as we’re getting our carpets cleaned on Wednesday. I stop for a break every hour to recharge, and finally get all done by 12.30pm. I have to say I am exhausted and rather happy to jump in the shower and freshen up.

1pm and I am rather hungry. I make a yummy salad for lunch – todays features pineapple, corn, cheese and goji berries. I know it’s bad to sit at the computer to eat but I’m too tired to care at this point.

I managed to get a bit of menu planning done

then played on the computer until 2.40pm. I was ready to head back to school to collect the girls when I suddenly remembered it was Muffin Tin Monday and they would be expecting them. I quickly through something together and headed out the door. As I went down the driveway I discovered Mum & Dad had just arrived back from their 9 week trip around Australia. I said a quick hello and rode to the school, met the girls and rode back home. Had a chat with Mum & Dad while they got the van into position (made more difficult because Christy had moved the key that allows the front gates to open more than normal). Eventually they got in and came up to see the dogs. I’ve been doing lots of training with the dogs lately so made sure I gave Mum lots of instructions on what to do if they jumped up on her. I think she was impressed with how much calmer they are.

It was a bit of an odd afternoon. The girls had the muffin tins while I was chatting to Mum & Dad, then I had to race Amy to drama, come back and pick up Christy. I was starving by now so made a quick snack (which I had in the car) and a cup of tea.

I drove Christy to cheerleading,

then went to the local supermarket to get some groceries and the bakery to get some bread. Packed the bags into the car

then off to collect Christy. At the same time Amy was being picked up by Mum & Dad and taken to dancing (Kevin normally does this but had a meeting in Sydney).

Back home and time to unpack the groceries, organise the dogs dinner and our dinner (which I had taken from the freezer earlier).

Christy helped me make a healthy breakfast cookie for tomorrow.

Then it was back out the door again to pick up Amy from dancing. Back home (Monday is our crazy day) I was very glad to be able to put on my PJs and eat my dinner. Amy wasn’t feeling very and didn’t want hers so I ate mine while watching TV.

Not much was on so we watched Big Medicine – luckily it was an episode we hadn’t seen before. Christy went to bed at 8pm and I sent Amy up just before 8.30pm because she was asleep on the lounge. It did indeed turn cold again late in the day so I had to drag the quilts back out to put on the girls beds :-).

I made myself a cup of tea and followed not long after. So now it’s just me and the dogs and my laptop in bed.