Category: A day in my Life

Wow, nearly forgot today. Christy woke up just after 3.30am saying she was scared. Her room was dark (which is normal) but her window was open (cause it had been so hot yesterday) and the wind had come up and was banging her blind. I got up, closed her window, opened her blind, put her music on and hopefully sent her back to sleep. Unfortunately for me, even though I went back to bed I was not going back to sleep. I got up just before 4am and took to dogs outside to the toilet.

Then I boiled the kettle and got myself a cup of tea and some birthday cake and settled in front of the computer. It rained for a bit but as the sun comes up it seems to have stopped and the wind has died down.

Amy came downstairs around 6am and is now settled in front of the TV. I was just reading through my favourite blog when I suddenly remembered it was “a day in my life” so run out to get my camera from the car (where I had left it after Christy’s party last night). So here’s the first photo of the day.

And a photo of what I see when I turn away from the computer…. guess what my first job for the day is?

I finally got up and moving around 7.30am – i mean it’s such a wet drizzly day and i had an action packed one yesterday so it’s good to take it easy. Anyway, I put on a load of washing (need to wash Kevin’s work pants for tomorrow), moved stuff off the kitchen table and bench, made breakfast – toast all around this morning (I had mine with marmalade).

The dogs polished off the girls leftover crusts.

I washed up, grated some cheese and put some eggs on to cook (for boiled eggs during the week).

Time for another cup of tea – I think it’s already my 4th for the day and to do yesterdays blog post.

I got Christy dressed, then made some Cheesy Potato Chowder (great day for soup for lunch), then chopped up some dying sweet potatoes for the dogs to have with their dinner.

At 10.30am the girls and Kevin headed off to indoor rock climbing. Kevin wanted me to go but I bargined that if I stayed home I could do what I wanted to get done (working on our budget, tidying the scrapbook desk and hopefully doing a page or two), then I’d watch a movie with him this afternoon (I really don’t like watching TV very much during the day). He accepted my offer. I helped them get their lunches organised to take with them and after they’d gone thought I’d better feed Bailey his lunch. Then I realized it was only 10.30am. I seem to have DONE so much (and drunk so much tea) already today.

Budget all sorted (we’ve recently gone to a cash only budget and it needed a bit of fine tuning), I realized I have already spent 4.5 hours in front of the computer today. Admittedly most of 3 of those hours were before 7am but still….. I’m now off into the scrapbook room.

As you can see my work area needed a GOOD tidy up.

At the moment I’m working on the travel album from our outback trip and also the daily assignment for my Have More Fun class. In the white desktop organiser I have put paper and things I am using the travel album. The little tub on the desk has photos I have layout ideas/plan for. Isn’t that desk light horrible? I’ve been looking for something better but no luck so far.

At 12.45 I stopped to have some of soup for lunch and wrote up this post to date. Kevin and the girls just arrived home but a friend is coming over so I should still be able to grab a bit of scrapbook time. So want to now that the desk is tidy.

I managed to spend a few hours scrapbooking which was very nice.

Around 4pm the visitors left (it was a friend of Kevin’s and his daugther) we had a spa which was nice and relaxing. We got into our PJs, made some popcorn and watched the small amount of video we had taken on our trip & Christy’s birthday. Kevin ordered me a flip camera today after I kept talking about them (after seeing them in action on quite a few scrapbooking blogs). Hopefully it’ll be as easy to use and upload as I’ve heard and I’ll therefore take more video. I don’t tend to take a lot as I focus on photos for scrapbooking.

After our home movies we were going to watch a family movie but Christy got bored and went off so we decided to watch The Mummy with Amy. I was surprised it’s only PG. She actually got a bit scared and went off towards the end. She watched Jurassic Park the other week and it didn’t phase her. I enjoyed it again. Being a BIG Brendan Fraser fan I’ve seen it many times before but not for a number of years.

I haven’t been really great documenting today or taking lots of photos but I did happen to notice the lovely sunset.

After the movie finished I tidied the kitchen (we had stopped to make dinner during the movie – brown rice, TVP favoured with taco seasoning, grated cheese, tomato and sour cream) and we watched a bit of the original Sabrina before heading up to bed. After my early morning it’ll be another early night.

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Well, I can’t believe that it’s the 14th again. Just a month ago we were nearly the end of our trip out at Alice Springs. I’m still waiting on getting the photos printed and can’t wait to start scrapbooking them.

Anyway, on with today. Unfortunately Kevin woke the dogs up around 5am and that it was it – playtime had begun. I had really wanted a sleep in as I didn’t have great night and was awake for an hour or two in the early hours of the morning. Still, with them playing and me with a sore back, I dragged myself out of bed and into my dressing gown and slippers – it’s been very cold here this week. Bailey managed to wee and poo before I got him outside. Not great for the toilet training. On the plus side I didn’t have to go out in the cold.

I got myself a cup of tea, turned on the gas heater and settled in front of the computer for a couple of hours. I also wrote up a list of what I need to get over the next couple of days as we’ve got a busy weekend coming up and old friends coming for lunch on Sunday (when I say old I mean I’ve known these girls since I was 3 years old).

At 7am I went around the house and opened up all the blinds to let the sunshine in. I then had my shower and got dressed for the gym. It might seem strange to shower before the gym but today I’m doing weights and being Winter I don’t get sweaty.

I put on the girls clothes to be washed and took the dogs out for the toilet. Than I ate breakfast at the kitchen bench whilst unpacking the dishwasher and trying to get the girls to tidy up their things that are lying around. There isn’t a lot but it’s causing me some stress as Bailey eats everything he finds.

Having finally seemed to have motivated them (by threatening to put any there things that I find in the garage) I managed to also some washing up done and the bread started (I make the dough in the breadmaker but cook it in the oven).

I had hoped to walk to school but we didn’t have time so we drove.

After I dropped the girls off I went to the gym (which is right next door to the school). There was hardly anyone in the weights room today (in fact I was on my own for a while). I had a good upper body workout and drove back home.

My washing was finished so I hung that out (kids clothes today) and put on other load. I only usually do one load a day but Mum & Dad arrived home last night so I’ve got the clothes that we left with them to wash). The dough was also ready so I put in the pan to rise and put another batch in the machine to make some rolls.

I then made myself a protein shake (to aid muscle recovery) and sat at the computer for brief rest.

Next up was cleaning outdoors in preparation for our visitors on Sunday (hopefully the weather will be nice enough to eat outside). I got ride of some cobwebs, swept the patio/ pool area , hosed the patio/pool area (with tank water) and finally mopped the patio/pool area. It gets so dusty outside it’s mission impossible trying to keep it clean. I also cleaned the table and BBQ.

I then threw out some straws for the chickens to play and to check for eggs – none today (unless I got them earlier – can’t remember).

The bread rising was now ready to go into the oven. I sat for a few mins rest at the computer (while eating a banana) then the dough was ready to be made into rolls and left to rise.

Next job for this morning was to clean the guinea pig cage.

Then it was time for Bailey’s first bath – by me anyway. I usually wash the dogs in the shower but thought it might be best to do him in the bath. Not sure it was a great idea. He kept trying to climb out and I ended up just as wet as he did.

Then since it was such a nice day I thought I’d use our new hot water tap and wash Rosie outside. Got even wetter.

Time for some lunch. Had Cheesy Potato Chowder (this years Winter favourite) and a slice of my freshly cooked bread. I have been having lunch while watching the Olympics but I wanted to do some scrapbooking so thought it best NOT to put the TV on. Instead I started typing this up.

Bailey was very tired after his bath.

Somehow I ended up doing the ironing first.

Then I went and scrapbooked a layout about Bailey, and cooked the rolls, before having a visit with Mum & Dad.

I then brought in the washing and hung out the other load before going to pick up the girls. I was too tired to walk so took the dogs in the car and drove up to school.

Home from school we all had a quick snack. I then did Christy’s hair in a bun for ballet.

We drove to her class.

After dropping her off, Amy and I went to the dance shop to order a dress for her singing concert. The dress maker was very appreciative of all the notice we gave her (we don’t need it to Nov). We had about 1/2 hour to wait for Christy so I read through the Eat Clean Diet and drank my cup of tea.

Home again about 5pm. I had been feeling a bit sore and achy so decided to indulge in a bath. The girls went over to see the grandparents so I go to enjoy it in peace and quiet. It was very nice and relaxing.

I uploaded photos ready for this post. Kevin arrived home shortly afterwards and we went to watch the news to see the Olympic highlights. Then I organised dinner. An easy one tonight – Pumpkin Cannelloni and rice & veggies from the freezer. Worked out well after my busy day.

Dinner was cleaned up and I sat and watch TV while typing this up on my laptop. After my early start this morning I imagine I’ll be heading to bed rather promptly and hope to read a couple of pages.

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Woke up around 5.30am and laid in bed for a bit. Rather cold here this morning. Suddenly decided I could make some morning tea for Kevin to serve at the first aid course he’s teaching today (he’d been going to buy biscuits). That was the incentive I need to get out of bed. I spent the next hour making choc chip muffins, anzac cookies and weetbix slice.

Amy was awake and watching TV. She’s been home sick the last 2 days and is still not real great. I enjoyed a cup of tea (and an anzac cookie – had to do a taste test) and read some info online for a scrapbook class I’m taking.

Christy and I go outside to feed the chooks and collect the eggs. We got two (later I got another 3 so they did well today).

About 7.30am I went around the opened all the blinds, tidied the bedroom and tried to make our bed.

Ran Amy a bath, instructed Christy to tidy her room and get dressed for drama and went and had my shower.

After getting dressed, found Christy playing in her room with nothing accomplished. Went downstairs to package up the food for Kevin – he’d already left so I took them over to my parents who are doing the course today.

Make breakfast for the girls – toast for Christy and scrambled eggs for Amy.

Wash up the dishes from this mornings baking session and tidy the kitchen.

Send Christy up to get dressed (her room will have to wait). Ring my friend Leanne to let her know we won’t be able to come to her daughter’s birthday party – the girls are dissapointed but what can you do? I can’t even take Christy as all potential babysitters are at the same course.

At 9.15 I drop Christy off at her drama lessons (Amy is sad cause she has to miss out). I come home and get changed into a fleecy tracksuit as it is FREEZING cold outside (such a shock after a mild winter to date). Feed the budgies and guinea pigs and made myself a cup of tea to have with my “breakfast” (cruskits with spreadable cheese) while updating this blog post. Also hung out a load of washing.

Now that our plans for the day have changed I’m not sure what I’ll do. I don’t know whether to just appreciate the extra time and do things for ME or if I should use the bonus time to get more things DONE. Maybe a bit of both. I want to do some work in the household notebook and budget and I’ve got some ironing to do, then maybe some scrapbooking or knitting or watching some Perfect Housewife (though that will just make me want to clean). Anyway, time to go get Christy.

Okay, I’m back. I decided on working on a revised daily routine after being inspired by Carolyn at 5 minutes for Mum

I then worked on the budget – which wasn’t quite as fun.

Next was lunch. I made toast for Christy and cheese on toast for Amy. Since we were having such a relaxed, lazy day I let them eat while watching TV.

I had my lunch while playing on the computer. I had a veggie patty with melted cheese on top of a slice of bread.

Shortly after Christy crawled onto my lap to do her school home reader.

Needing to get off the computer for a while I headed into the scrapbook room for a few hours. I did 3 layouts and had some afternoon tea. Amy just watched TV and Christy went to our neighbours for a play.

Around 4pm I came back to the computer to start downloading photos. I stopped to make dinner – Pasta with a mushroom sauce – recommended by Bel. I sent some to Mum & Dad and they declared it 10 out of 10. Kevin came home around 5.30pm.

It’s now 6.30pm and I’m going to publish this post and go have my dinner. Gee, NO meals eaten at the table today – that’s not good. It’s family movie night and we’re going to watching Bailey’s Billions – it has a golden retriever in it so the girls are excited.

Edited to add the movie was a dud – we ended up watching December Boys – which wasn’t a whole lot better but I enjoyed Daniel Radcliff’s performance. Amy went to bed around 7.30pm feeling pretty sick, Kevin went about 8pm since he wasn’t enjoying the movie and was tired, and Christy flaked out sometime around 9pmso I carried her up to bed. It’s now 9.30pm and I’m heading to bed to hopefully do a bit of reading before falling asleep.

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