Life – Page 23 – Life is a Journey

Catching Up & Moving forward

Posted on October 14, 2013October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Instead of doing a few “week that was posts” I’m going to do a bit of a catch up post.

I was a very good Mum and took Amy to a metal core concert to see two of her favourite bands. Of Mice & Men (which I can’t stand) and Bring me the horizon (which I quite like). I can honestly say never in a million years would I have have thought I’d like metalcore/screamo – but it’s very slowly grown on me as I’ve heard Amy playing it around the house.

I went with her because even though I did lots of research, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. But any worries I had were unnecessary. The group of kids (teens to mid-twenties mainly) were really nice, well behaved. It did get a bit rough in the mosh pit, as you’d expect, but that’s why Amy was required to be in a seat (Mum’s rule and the Horden’s recommendation). Amy was quite relieved to find she wasn’t the only one with a parent in tow. She did have a friend going with her, but she wasn’t allowed to go at the last minute. Overall it was a good night (thanks to my earplugs) and I’m glad I got to experience this with Amy.

Amy also her hair cut and coloured – suits her so much.

After a fun week at Kiama we returned back to our walks at the lake.

Last Thursday we went really early – before 6am, before the sun was up, and before the temperature rose to 37C (96F)!!!! Crazy! It’s only October.

With Amy back at Drama lessons Christy had dinner in front of the TV while we watched some Supernanny.

I seem to be at the shops a lot lately, which has meant too many trips to Gloria Jeans.

Big W has this great Halloween display and a small amount of Halloween goodies. Still nothing compared to the USA though :-(.

I had to laugh when I came across this sign in a shop.

I finally made a start on decluttering and reoganising my study/multipurpose room.

Some bonding between Rosie and Christy.

I got my first Fab box from Lust Have It – and I LOVE it!

Can’t wait to make something from my new wholefood baking book.

I have fallen in love with this perfume – Killer Queen by Katy Perry. It’s top of my Christmas wish list.

I haven’t bought fresh flowers for a long time but I treated myself to this delightful bunch.

So, there you are. Up to date with recent events in my life. Unfortunately I’ve been pretty crook the last few days, fighting another sinus infection.

So, moving forward… I’m still unsure what direction to take the blog in. Obviously it’s been very neglected since I started vlogging. I even gave serious thought to ending my blog but I really do enjoy looking back on it myself and seeing what I was doing a year ago, three years ago. Something that is a lot harder to do in vlogs. Plus I really don’t want to abandon those of you who only read my blog, and don’t watch my YouTube channel – which I understand is a lot of more time intensive. So what to do?

I’m going back to what I did when I started blogging and do a more current blog post, possibly just sharing photos and news from the day before. Some days there might be nothing to share, some days I might have a lot, some days I might just share my thoughts on something, a recipe, organisation, etc. We’ll see. It will probably take me some time to get back in the habit of photographing more throughout the day. Hopefully this new strategy will work and you will all like it. Please feel free to give me feedback or let me know if there is anything in particular you’d like me to do a blog post on. I’m really hoping by keeping it more current I’ll be more excited to post and share with you all. This should also mean you see a blog post from me MOST days of the week :-). And you know what? I’m actually excited about getting back to into it again.

Day 2 in Sydney – Shopping & water fun

Posted on September 30, 2013October 12, 2026 by Libby Withnall

After a slow start to the morning we packed up and left the hotel about 8.45am, heading back to Westfield Burwood. Unfortunately we managed to get a bit of traffic.

Loved this fuzzy helmet we saw on the way.

Even with the traffic it only took 15 mins to reach the shopping center.

First stop was Gloria Jeans for some breakfast. I had a spinach roll and shared an iced chocolate with Christy.

We loved with the little logo on the table.

Then it was time for shopping, starting with Typo. I think I’m going to have to get those flamingo folders – they are too cute.

And I wish I had somewhere to put this print. It’s just so perfect.

We also visited Target, the Dollar Store (where we got some Halloween goodies) and some other stores.

Amy got some soup from Pie Face for her lunch (she wasn’t feeling the best) before we left to drop her off at day 2 of the study course. Then Christy and I headed over to the Sydney Aquatic Center.

Christy went off to have lots of fun. It was REALLY busy – we’ve never been during school holidays before, and noisy.

I sat upstairs, where it was a bit calmer. I enjoyed the noodles I had bought for lunch, read magazines, people watched, and even had a little snooze when the hot air made me all sleepy :-).

At 4pm we left and headed back to pick up Amy (who had met a follow Dan & Phil lover) and headed back home. It had been a long day and I was exhausted (I think because of having to concentrate in all the traffic).

If you want to see more of our adventure (including what we bought) be sure to check out my vlogs.

Christy’s Birthday week

Posted on September 16, 2013October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

If you follow me on instagram or facebook, you will already know that this week we celebrated Christy’s 12th Birthday.

The big day started with presents in our bed (a tradition she was still keen to maintain).

Her big present this year was getting her room renovated but you still need to have some presents to unwrap on the day.

Breakfast of pancakes was kindly made by Amy.

As was the cake to take to school, with both girls helping with the decorating.

That night we were joined by Nan (just back from hospital) and Pop for a dinner of Christy’s fav foods – Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, cheesy cauliflower bake and corn.

Then another cake made by Amy..this time chocolate mud cake.

Then on the weekend she celebrated with her friends. Firstly at the roller skating rink.

Love this action shot of Christy doing the limbo – she actually got out on this round.

Having a rest, and a chat.

Back at our place they headed into the pool for a swim.

Then it was time for the lunch, that Amy had prepared. And I’ve only just realized that in ALL the birthday photos, there is not ONE of Amy – and she did so much of the work. She does appear in the day in the life video however :-).

I wasn’t going to buy balloons, but she really wanted them.

It was so lovely that she got to celebrate the day with her 3 best friends, 2 of whom stayed for a sleepover.

Amy did such an amazing job organising all the food, including making sandwiches, Anzac cookies, chocolate truffles, butterfly cakes and this delicious birthday cake. I think she was all cooked out by the end of it.

The girls spent the afternoon playing. We order takeaway pizza for dinner. Amy, Kevin & I got to relax and watch TV. The next day I made them pancakes for breakfast and they played and swam until the Powell’s arrived for lunch. It was a very fun weekend but I definitely need a quieter week after the last one :-).

Weekend Delights

Posted on August 12, 2013October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

We had absolutely stunning weather this weekend. It was even warm enough for me to dig out 3/4 pants. On Saturday morning I took the pups down to the lake and let them have a swim.

Then on Sunday Kevin & I took them to the local dog beach. They have the best time here. Bailey runs all over the beach and Rosie has fun swimming out for her ball. She is quiet fearless.

It was lovely spending time on the beach…

and feeling the sand between my toes…

Makes me keen for the days to be hot enough so I can take a dip in the ocean…..

Did you have any weekend delights?