Life is a Journey – Page 144 – The life and times of Libby Withnall

A Day in the life – 14th June, 2012

Posted on June 15, 2012November 2, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Up really early this morning – around 4.30am!!! I don’t mind 5am but before that is getting a bit too early. Got plenty of videos watched on youtube though. Kevin joined me around 6am – so he was up early too.

Took my meds and had a cup of tea.

When Amy came down she had to complete her Germany excursion forms and then she and Kevin left at 7am.

It was another dreary morning out – looks much brighter in this photo.

I went up to check on Christy – who was still in bed and not too happy to be woken up. I left her to get ready.

and went to make my bed and shower and get dressed.

Of course, my best buds came with me.

Time to get the washing on.

and the budgies fed – gee, do you think they were hungry?

I then sat with Christy and had breakfast. Had a craving for crumpets are seeing them on the internet somewhere.

Then it was time for the school run. Luckily Bailey doesn’t mind the rain…or the cold… we freeze in the car just to make him happy.

There was some very low cloud around this morning which was rather weird.

Back home I put the clothes in the dryer, hanging up the few items that can’t go in.

Time for another cup of tea. I ended up ordering some Kora Organic skin care products which I’ve been looking into for a while.

Then I bundled up, complete with beanie, and took the dogs on their walk.

I got to wear my jacket from Alaska – quite fitting as this time last year were there.

Here’s more of that low cloud.

A bit further along and the sun was trying to appear….

but the rainbow tells me the rain is still around. Luckily we didn’t get any and boy was I hot with my jacket when we got back. But I’d really needed it for at least half the walk.

Back home I got to work tidying up my desk, with yet another cup of tea.

And I wrote a cheque for the deposit for our Germany trip. Still can’t believe we’re going. So unexpected, but just too good an opportunity to turn down. And Christy is so excited to be staying with Nan & Pop.

And would you look at the weather now!!!!

I worked on some paperwork for the uniform shop and spent a good portion of time chasing up an order, even going up to the school to check it wasn’t there. On my 5th phone call to the suppliers we discover that the order in question just shipped. I’m a little suspicious of the timing but at least it’s not lost somewhere.

And look I’ve now got a clear desk. For now. It’s definitely a major hot spot in the house.

The dryer has finished (though I’m now thinking it could have been hung out), so I fold up what can be folded.

Then time to do some ironing while watching youtube videos.

Then lunch. Bagels with hummus, cheese and tomato.

It’s been a rather busy morning. So I just hung out with my lap top for 2 hours, until it’s time to collect the girls. I pulled in just behind the bus today. We dropped off Emerson, collected Christy (who had walked to Emerson’s) and then dropped off Amy (near home) before heading down to the mall, where we park for Christy’s singing lessons.

After getting her regular finger bun from Bakers Delight, she heads off to the place of her lessons (just outside the mall). I walk around to confirm I need to fast for a blood test (which I do so I’ll come back in the morning). I then do the uniform shop banking and visit the chemist (for a refill of my anti-inflamatories). I then go around to wait for Christy’s lesson to finish.

We got back about 4.15 and I think about dinner but can’t decide what too cook, as my feet are a bit sore now. Pop brings over the mail and I’m excited to get this. Woo hoo!!! Extra spending for Disneyworld.

At 5.15pm I take Amy up to dancing. We’re currently attending two dance schools (until next week’s concert)

Kevin arrives home just after I do and wants me to help him pack for a diving conference he’s attending in Queensland for the next week.

I consult the fridge for inspiration but not finding any, despite it being fully stocked, we decide to get takeaway pizza.

I wanted to have a bath while Kevin went to pick it up but Christy beat me too it so I had to share with her, and her toys.

I’m not sure which lush product she put in but this one had little hearts in it. So fun.

The biggest problem having a bath with Christy is that it’s not quite as warm/hot as I’d like.

Time for dinner while watching Museum Secrets. In case you were wondering that’s a cavemans skull on the screen that they are pretty sure was cannabilized. Good topic for dinner hey?

After Museum Secrets we watched Got to Dance before heading up to bed around 9pm. I was so tired tonight but managed to get a little bit of reading before lights out.

Onboard Toiletries

Posted on June 15, 2012November 6, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Nelbe wanted to know how I deal on toiletries for onboard a flight. Since nearly all international flights from Australia are some duration – often 15 to 24 hours – you’ll definitely want to take some supplies with you. Now I really just take the basics. Things I know I’ll definitely be using. I don’t tend to wear makeup on long flights and usually am too tired to be bothered at the end of a flight. If I needed to make an impression I’d pack a bit of makeup and apply before getting off. But really you don’t want to spend any more time than necessary in the restrooms. Plus they get pretty busy just before landing.

Travel packs like the one below are ideal. I actually bought this just for the containers (for my main travel bag) then realized the clear bag would be perfect for going through security and also ease of access on the plane – which is exactly what it’s designed for.

Now what do I take on board?

Deodorant, face spray, a solid perfume, a lip balm, face moisturizer (little pot or tube), hand cream, cuticle cream and an eye mask.

I’d also put in a mini toothpaste/toothbrush we’ve got on previous flights just in case we don’t get them (not all airlines provide them). But funnily enough I came across this little toothbrush and paste set at the chemist just this afternoon so I’ll be adding that to the bag. That has to be the cutest little toothpaste I ever did see.

I have heard of people packing clear face masks to use on a flight but I haven’t gone to that level yet – I guess if you do loads of travelling you might. I think the key is to just take what you know you will need – you really don’t want to be bothering digging through lots of supplies, or carting them around the airport. Also be sure to pack some socks (again some airlines provide them) and I always buy some water (after security) and some snacks. Even though you get fed, when you’re travelling across the international date line you end up missing some meals, and we always end up hungry.

Ahh….

Posted on June 14, 2012November 4, 2026 by Libby Withnall

flickr/wordpress is mucking up again so I can’t get todays blog post up today. It’s almost done too :-(.

Displaying photos

Posted on June 13, 2012November 6, 2026 by Libby Withnall

As you know I LOVE taking photos – both of everyday life and events and of our travels. I’ve never been one just to take photos and forget about them, which I guess is why I was drawn to scrapbooking. But my favourite way to share photos, besides on my blog, is to display them in my home. And until going around the house to take photos for this post I didn’t realize just how many I have displayed – and in different ways.

I apologise in advance for all the glare from the photo frames!!!

The first you thing you see upon entering our home is photos. The canvases that were just recently added to the stairwell and a frame photo of the girls.

Everyone coming into our home loves this portrait taken when Amy was about 5 and Christy 2.5.

Then at the top of the stairs is photo collages from some of our more recent trips. I had these printed at snapfish then mounted at a frame shop. The two on either end have yet to visit the frame shop.

After our next trip I’ll do collages for disneyworld and Alaska and get the 4 mounted in a second row.

I often stop here (it’s right outside our bedroom) and look at all the little photos – so many wonderful memories.

Of course you’ll find some more photos in our bedroom.

I’m waiting to get some new canvases here.

And both the girls have a number of frames.

The loungeroom has lots of canvas frames. If you’re wondering how we can afford so many it’s because Kevin can print and mount them himself – which is also why I have to wait to get more printed :-).