Category: Life

Well, being family day we were trying to think of something to do today. Amy has been desperate to go Jamberoo Recreation Park (she got a family ticket for her birthday way back in March). Kevin & I weren’t really keen – my hands and feet were swollen (as they are every morning) and Kevin was tired -but we decided to go. And we had a top day. It wasn’t too hot and we got there just after opening so managed to do most of the slides before it got too busy.

And I even went on the slides – the first time in over 10 years. It was so much FUN!!! The photo above is the Taipan – a family raft ride – in the DARK!! It was great. We went on twice :-). This park is about 20mins from home and we were last there 3 years ago. They have made heaps of improvements since then and we are already planning to go again in March.

Well, I was actually fast asleep when we rang in the new year. I did hear the fireworks going off but was too exhausted to even get out of bed to watch them (we can see them in the distance from our bedroom window). I heard Kevin wake but couldn’t even move my lips to wish him Happy New Year. Mind you I was awake until 11.35pm which is well beyond my normal bed time – esp. since I’m usually up between 4.30 and 5.30am.

We had a wonderful NYE. Our friends Kay and Sean and their kids, plus my Mum and Dad joined us. We had homemade burgers and salad for dinner. We just relaxed and chatted, the kids swam and played, we had sparklers – which everyone had fun with, we watched the 9pm Sydney fireworks on TV and then the local 9.30pm fireworks from upstairs. It was a great way to end 2007.

 

 

As the year comes to a close (and Christmas is over) I’m starting to think back over 2007 and make plans for 2008. 2007 was a pretty great year and I spent most of it in a happy, positive state of mind. We had a wonderful family vacation to Mexico and Disneyland, got a new dog, Rosie, Kevin and I had Weight loss surgery, the girls did well at school. I feel I’ve grown a lot as a person – I’m happy in my role of SAHM and taking care of the family, house and animals; I’ve developed new friendships (mostly online but a few in real life); and I’ve spent more time on crafts/scrapbooking. The last couple of months I’ve gotten myself into a much better routine and with the weight loss and extra energy I’m sure I’ll achieve a lot more in 2008.

Here are the goals I wrote a year ago and how I went with them. Bit of a mixed bag. A lot more work/commitment will be needed next year.

HOME
– Maintain new household routine    : kind of, I seem to be able to keep on top of most things now but this still needs work

– Reduce processed/packaged foods/meals     : Yes, but can be improved

– Menu plan properly and buy ONLY what is needed   : NO, especially since surgery I find the chooks and dogs are getting more and more leftovers

– Minimise disposable products – napkins, plates, towels, containers  : YES!!! Pretty much eliminated from our lives.

– Make from scratch where possiible  : KIND OF, still more work needed

– Buy organic produce where possible : YES, but it’s getting rather expensive when much is getting wasted (see above)

FINANCE
– Read up more on budgeting/finance   : NO
– Reularly review budget : YES, not that it makes me stick to the budget any more

– Put $50 a week into long-term savings  : YES. but just had to use it all to fix up overspending (see above)

– Start paying extra off mortgage in June  : NO

PERSONAL
– Write in blog regularly  : YES, probably too much 🙂

– Learn to download photos and update my website myself  : YES, hence above

– Work on novel for 2 hrs Mon – Thurs  : NO – decided not to pursue writing at this time, between blogging and scrapbooking I don’t have time.

– Limit e-mail/internet  : NO!!!!